FISMA is becoming a roadblock for electronic health record implementation, Government Health IT magazine reported this week.
The Federal Information and Security Management Act (FISMA), passed by Congress in 2002 to better protect the federal government against cyber attacks, mandates information security standards for all federal agencies. This includes the flow of data between the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) and their contractors—over 200 hundred of them, processing billions of Medicare claims. The new worry from CMS, according to Government Health IT, is that healthcare providers sharing EHR files will be required to meet FISMA standards, which include an annual security test and FISMA certification.
A CMS spokesperson is quoted as saying that this would be more than “burdensome” for both CMS and health care providers and organizations.
The conundrum is that information will be moving between the HIPPA world (the private sector) and the FISMA world (the government)—that latter of which is much more secure, from a protocol/standards perspective. Federal agencies are held to a higher standard than the private sector with respect to information security.
For a long time, consumer groups have argued that HIPPA is a weak standard for patient information security. Yet, many worry that if FISMA is applied to the private sector, there will be a compliance crisis that will be costly to remedy. But why shouldn’t the transfer of health information be held to the highest security standards? Advocates of a middle ground argue “yes,” but not quite as stringent as FISMA. They standards should be more of a more of a “HIPPA-plus” or “FISMA-lite,” in the words of Vish Sankaran, a program director for the Federal Health Architecture project to connect health information entities. More Here EMR
States take bigger role in promoting EHR adoption
Maryland further strengthened the goals of the stimulus package or the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) this past week by passing legislation that required insurers to provide “monetary” incentives for physicians to adopt electronic health records (EHR).
The bill, signed by Governor Martin O’Malley, is one of the first of its kind to give sharper teeth to the EHR movement. Insurers may choose from a variety of fiscal incentives including increased reimbursement and lump-sum payments, according to Health IT News. The effort is viewed as a double incentive to providers to join the digital transition that promises to increase health care system efficiency while reducing medical errors for patients. Maryland is not alone in its effort to promote the change from paper to portal; other states are reviewing similar measures that would jumpstart implementation.
Included in the Maryland bill is a requirement for the state to bring a piloted health information exchange (HIE) live by October 1. The goal of the HIE, often comprised of business and community representatives, is to provide support to health care system stakeholders with the goal of increasing efficiency and quality. More Here EMR
The bill, signed by Governor Martin O’Malley, is one of the first of its kind to give sharper teeth to the EHR movement. Insurers may choose from a variety of fiscal incentives including increased reimbursement and lump-sum payments, according to Health IT News. The effort is viewed as a double incentive to providers to join the digital transition that promises to increase health care system efficiency while reducing medical errors for patients. Maryland is not alone in its effort to promote the change from paper to portal; other states are reviewing similar measures that would jumpstart implementation.
Included in the Maryland bill is a requirement for the state to bring a piloted health information exchange (HIE) live by October 1. The goal of the HIE, often comprised of business and community representatives, is to provide support to health care system stakeholders with the goal of increasing efficiency and quality. More Here EMR
Patients cheer on EHR technology, not afraid of privacy risks
Show me the technology! That is the conclusion of a study from the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) to be released in the Journal of General Internal Medicine (JGIM) in June. The study reveals that consumers who are defined as “internet-savvy” are ready to take a chance on electronic health records (EHR) despite warnings of potential privacy risks.
The study, supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), investigated whether or not patients were comfortable making the leap with their health care providers to the digital age through the adoption of EHRs. In the tech-savvy cities where they held focus groups, the answer was a resounding ‘yes.’ Not a terrible surprise given that they investigated consumers in Boston, Portland, Tampa and Denver—some of the more tech-educated spots in the country. However, investigators did attempt to include a diverse group of people, drawn from both urban and rural areas. Additionally, they included health professionals in their study to compare their perspectives about health technology relative to consumers. More Here EMR
The study, supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), investigated whether or not patients were comfortable making the leap with their health care providers to the digital age through the adoption of EHRs. In the tech-savvy cities where they held focus groups, the answer was a resounding ‘yes.’ Not a terrible surprise given that they investigated consumers in Boston, Portland, Tampa and Denver—some of the more tech-educated spots in the country. However, investigators did attempt to include a diverse group of people, drawn from both urban and rural areas. Additionally, they included health professionals in their study to compare their perspectives about health technology relative to consumers. More Here EMR
AHA: Stretch Meaningful Use Timeline
HDM Breaking News,
The federal government should extend the transition to a fully functional electronic health records system beyond 2015, according to the American Hospital Association.
The AHA has sent a comment letter on the initial proposal of a workgroup of the HIT Policy Committee to define meaningful use of electronic health records to David Blumenthal, national coordinator for health information technology.
“Our members believe that the functional abilities of the EHR that would result from implementation of the draft definition are correct, but that the proposed sequence for adoption is overly aggressive and unrealistic for most,” according to the AHA. “Increasing the requirements for being considered a meaningful user every two years should provide enough time for adoption, but only if the initial requirements are set at an achievable level. The AHA encourages the committee, ONC and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to develop a ‘meaningful use’ adoption timeline that begins with fewer functional requirements and extends the transition to a fully functional EHR beyond 2015.”
Computerized physician order entry, for instance, should not be required until after 2015 or beyond, the AHA contended in the comment letter. “Most hospitals are not prepared to make such significant advancements under the proposed implementation timeline, so rushing to adopt could compromise patient safety and the success of this effort,” the letter states. “Our members, including those with significant previous HIT investments and CPOE, consider a 2011 CPOE requirement to be unrealistic.” More Here EMR Stimulus Package
The federal government should extend the transition to a fully functional electronic health records system beyond 2015, according to the American Hospital Association.
The AHA has sent a comment letter on the initial proposal of a workgroup of the HIT Policy Committee to define meaningful use of electronic health records to David Blumenthal, national coordinator for health information technology.
“Our members believe that the functional abilities of the EHR that would result from implementation of the draft definition are correct, but that the proposed sequence for adoption is overly aggressive and unrealistic for most,” according to the AHA. “Increasing the requirements for being considered a meaningful user every two years should provide enough time for adoption, but only if the initial requirements are set at an achievable level. The AHA encourages the committee, ONC and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to develop a ‘meaningful use’ adoption timeline that begins with fewer functional requirements and extends the transition to a fully functional EHR beyond 2015.”
Computerized physician order entry, for instance, should not be required until after 2015 or beyond, the AHA contended in the comment letter. “Most hospitals are not prepared to make such significant advancements under the proposed implementation timeline, so rushing to adopt could compromise patient safety and the success of this effort,” the letter states. “Our members, including those with significant previous HIT investments and CPOE, consider a 2011 CPOE requirement to be unrealistic.” More Here EMR Stimulus Package
Medicare to Pay Bonuses for ?E-Prescribing?
The bonus program, which will continue for four years, is designed to streamline the prescription process and cut down on errors. In 2009 and 2010, Medicare will give doctors an additional 2 percent bonus on top of their fee for “e-prescribing.” In 2011 and 2012, the bonus will drop to 1 percent, and in 2013, the bonus will drop again to 0.5 percent, officials said.
“There are terrific human and financial costs to illegible prescriptions,” Mike Leavitt, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said during a Monday afternoon teleconference.
According to the Institute of Medicine, 1.5 million Americans are injured every year by drug errors, Leavitt said. Another study found that each year pharmacists make more than 150 million phone calls to doctors to clarify what was written on the prescription, he added.
“That’s a lot of people needlessly hurt and a lot of time spent trying to sort out bad handwriting,” Leavitt said.
“E-prescribing will help deliver safer or more efficient care to patients,” Leavitt said. He noted that the law that set up the Medicare prescription drug program in 2006 mandated that participating pharmacies be able to accept e-prescriptions.
After five years, bonuses for e-prescribing will be phased out; doctors who haven’t adopted e-prescribing will be reimbursed at lower rates, Leavitt said. There will, however, be exceptions for doctors who have legitimate reasons for not complying.
“We expect this will have a profound effect on the adoption and use of e-prescribing,” Leavitt said. More Here Electronic Prescription
“There are terrific human and financial costs to illegible prescriptions,” Mike Leavitt, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said during a Monday afternoon teleconference.
According to the Institute of Medicine, 1.5 million Americans are injured every year by drug errors, Leavitt said. Another study found that each year pharmacists make more than 150 million phone calls to doctors to clarify what was written on the prescription, he added.
“That’s a lot of people needlessly hurt and a lot of time spent trying to sort out bad handwriting,” Leavitt said.
“E-prescribing will help deliver safer or more efficient care to patients,” Leavitt said. He noted that the law that set up the Medicare prescription drug program in 2006 mandated that participating pharmacies be able to accept e-prescriptions.
After five years, bonuses for e-prescribing will be phased out; doctors who haven’t adopted e-prescribing will be reimbursed at lower rates, Leavitt said. There will, however, be exceptions for doctors who have legitimate reasons for not complying.
“We expect this will have a profound effect on the adoption and use of e-prescribing,” Leavitt said. More Here Electronic Prescription
Special Health IT Report: Electronic Prescribing Increasing Despite Glitches
Fayetteville, Ark. – Dr. Marek Durakiewicz initially welcomed the opportunity to send prescriptions to drugstores electronically, using free computer equipment provided by a state pilot program.
The chief of staff at Hickman Community Hospital in Centerville, Tenn., Durakiewicz recognized the potential benefits of “e-prescribing.” Special software allows doctors to see instantly if the drug they are ordering is covered by a patient’s health insurance plan; if there’s a less expensive, generic alternative, or if the patient is already taking medication that may interact dangerously with the new one. For patients, there’s no piece of paper to misplace.
Advocates say e-prescribing is a key advance toward health care’s digital future because of its potential to reduce medical errors, cut drug costs and save doctors and patients time and money. E-prescribing is growing – the number of doctors doing it is now more than 120,000, 20 percent of all office-based prescribers, according to an industry source. But kinks need to be worked out to spur more rapid acceptance.
Doctors and patients in a number of states have complaints, including Durakiewicz. Malfunctioning hardware and cumbersome security features — such as software that logged him out automatically every 30 minutes — left him frustrated. Patient prescription histories provided by the system weren’t as current as he had expected. In addition, federal restrictions prevented him from e-prescribing certain pain medications. More Here EMR
The chief of staff at Hickman Community Hospital in Centerville, Tenn., Durakiewicz recognized the potential benefits of “e-prescribing.” Special software allows doctors to see instantly if the drug they are ordering is covered by a patient’s health insurance plan; if there’s a less expensive, generic alternative, or if the patient is already taking medication that may interact dangerously with the new one. For patients, there’s no piece of paper to misplace.
Advocates say e-prescribing is a key advance toward health care’s digital future because of its potential to reduce medical errors, cut drug costs and save doctors and patients time and money. E-prescribing is growing – the number of doctors doing it is now more than 120,000, 20 percent of all office-based prescribers, according to an industry source. But kinks need to be worked out to spur more rapid acceptance.
Doctors and patients in a number of states have complaints, including Durakiewicz. Malfunctioning hardware and cumbersome security features — such as software that logged him out automatically every 30 minutes — left him frustrated. Patient prescription histories provided by the system weren’t as current as he had expected. In addition, federal restrictions prevented him from e-prescribing certain pain medications. More Here EMR
Governors Announce State Rankings for E-Prescribing
SURESCRIPTS RELEASES ANNUAL STATE RANKINGS AND PROGRESS REPORTS DETAILING E-PRESCRIBING USE AND ADOPTION STATISTICS FOR ALL 50 STATES
Massachusetts Prescribers Now Route More Than 20 Percent of Prescriptions Electronically, Followed by Rhode Island at 17 Percent
Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen and Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas Accept Safe-Rx™ Award, Highlighting States’ Improved Use of E-Prescribing
WASHINGTON, – At an event at the National Press Club, Surescripts announced today that Massachusetts ranks first in the nation when it comes to routing prescriptions electronically. According to the results of an annual nationwide audit of electronic prescriptions routed in 2008, it was determined that prescribers in the Bay State sent more than 6.7 million prescriptions electronically, representing 20.5 percent of all eligible prescriptions in the state – as compared to 2.3 percent in 2005. For this accomplishment, Massachusetts was recognized, along with 14 other states, at the fourth annual Safe-Rx Awards.
Surescripts created the Safe-Rx Awards to raise awareness of e-prescribing as a means of enhancing patient safety by providing a more secure, accurate and informed prescribing process.
“Congratulations to all the Safe-Rx Award winners for increasing the use of e-prescribing and for the benefit it has brought to the economy, safety and quality of patient care in communities throughout their states,” said Harry Totonis, president and CEO of Surescripts. “And as much as this program is about measuring and recognizing real success, its greater purpose is to highlight the leaders who are driving that success and the stories of how they are doing it. As the numbers and rankings suggest, each year there are more and more examples of how a state and the various stakeholders within the state can work together to drive e-prescribing adoption and use. We congratulate those leaders and hope that their examples will inspire and inform many more successful efforts in many more states in the year ahead.” More Here EMR
Massachusetts Prescribers Now Route More Than 20 Percent of Prescriptions Electronically, Followed by Rhode Island at 17 Percent
Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen and Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas Accept Safe-Rx™ Award, Highlighting States’ Improved Use of E-Prescribing
WASHINGTON, – At an event at the National Press Club, Surescripts announced today that Massachusetts ranks first in the nation when it comes to routing prescriptions electronically. According to the results of an annual nationwide audit of electronic prescriptions routed in 2008, it was determined that prescribers in the Bay State sent more than 6.7 million prescriptions electronically, representing 20.5 percent of all eligible prescriptions in the state – as compared to 2.3 percent in 2005. For this accomplishment, Massachusetts was recognized, along with 14 other states, at the fourth annual Safe-Rx Awards.
Surescripts created the Safe-Rx Awards to raise awareness of e-prescribing as a means of enhancing patient safety by providing a more secure, accurate and informed prescribing process.
“Congratulations to all the Safe-Rx Award winners for increasing the use of e-prescribing and for the benefit it has brought to the economy, safety and quality of patient care in communities throughout their states,” said Harry Totonis, president and CEO of Surescripts. “And as much as this program is about measuring and recognizing real success, its greater purpose is to highlight the leaders who are driving that success and the stories of how they are doing it. As the numbers and rankings suggest, each year there are more and more examples of how a state and the various stakeholders within the state can work together to drive e-prescribing adoption and use. We congratulate those leaders and hope that their examples will inspire and inform many more successful efforts in many more states in the year ahead.” More Here EMR
AMA approves policies on security breaches, EHRs
Policies on security breaches, open source code, and government subsidies of electronic health-record systems have been adopted by the American Medical Association’s House of Delegates.
The policies concern physicians’ responsibilities in case of computer security breaches and support of electronic health-record systems based on open-source code. Another policy calls for the removal of penalties that are scheduled to affect physicians who are not using electronic prescribing by 2015, and another says that the AMA wants government subsidies for the implementation and maintenance of EHR systems to be adjusted for inflation.
AMA policy now dictates that, in response to a security breach, physicians are to place the interest of patients above those of themselves, their practice or institution. On open-source, delegates approved a resolution calling for the AMA to support law and public policy that makes open source EHR systems that meet certification and “meaningful use” requirements available to physicians at nominal cost.
The Florida delegation had introduced a resolution that would declare federal EHR incentive programs to be “noncompliant with AMA principles” and essentially a pay-for-performance program. After hearing testimony on June 14, a committee drafted a substitute resolution that stated federal programs should be made compliant with AMA principles by removing penalties for nonadoption. More Here EMR
The policies concern physicians’ responsibilities in case of computer security breaches and support of electronic health-record systems based on open-source code. Another policy calls for the removal of penalties that are scheduled to affect physicians who are not using electronic prescribing by 2015, and another says that the AMA wants government subsidies for the implementation and maintenance of EHR systems to be adjusted for inflation.
AMA policy now dictates that, in response to a security breach, physicians are to place the interest of patients above those of themselves, their practice or institution. On open-source, delegates approved a resolution calling for the AMA to support law and public policy that makes open source EHR systems that meet certification and “meaningful use” requirements available to physicians at nominal cost.
The Florida delegation had introduced a resolution that would declare federal EHR incentive programs to be “noncompliant with AMA principles” and essentially a pay-for-performance program. After hearing testimony on June 14, a committee drafted a substitute resolution that stated federal programs should be made compliant with AMA principles by removing penalties for nonadoption. More Here EMR
E-Health Records Planned Despite Stimulus Uncertainty
More than 50% of healthcare providers surveyed by IVANS do not believe the federal stimulus package will successfully encourage health IT adoption.
By Marianne Kolbasuk McGee InformationWeek
Although a majority of healthcare providers remain skeptical about how they’ll benefit by the federal government’s $20 billion stimulus program, many plan to forge ahead anyway, according to a report released this week.
About seven in 10 healthcare providers believe electronic medical records will have a positive impact on their businesses and patient care, but 80% say the lack of money is their biggest obstacle to deploying health IT systems, said the new report by IVANS, a supplier of EDI and network services to the insurance industry.
The nationwide, e-mailed survey of 508 healthcare providers — including hospitals, clinics, private medical practices, nursing homes, home healthcare organizations and medical billing companies — found that while nearly 40% plan to forge ahead with e-medical record deployments within the next 12 months, more than 50% of healthcare providers do not believe the federal stimulus package will successfully encourage health IT adoption. More Here EMR Stimulus Package
By Marianne Kolbasuk McGee InformationWeek
Although a majority of healthcare providers remain skeptical about how they’ll benefit by the federal government’s $20 billion stimulus program, many plan to forge ahead anyway, according to a report released this week.
About seven in 10 healthcare providers believe electronic medical records will have a positive impact on their businesses and patient care, but 80% say the lack of money is their biggest obstacle to deploying health IT systems, said the new report by IVANS, a supplier of EDI and network services to the insurance industry.
The nationwide, e-mailed survey of 508 healthcare providers — including hospitals, clinics, private medical practices, nursing homes, home healthcare organizations and medical billing companies — found that while nearly 40% plan to forge ahead with e-medical record deployments within the next 12 months, more than 50% of healthcare providers do not believe the federal stimulus package will successfully encourage health IT adoption. More Here EMR Stimulus Package
Stimulus money boosts health clinics serving poor
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Homeless teenagers at a central Colorado shelter are feeling the effect of the government’s economic stimulus package. It’s the feeling of a dentist’s drill.
The 20 runaway youths living at the Urban Peak shelter had no regular dental care until this spring, when a $1.3 million stimulus grant to a community health center paid for a mobile dental and medical clinic to visit once a month. The residents now get medical and dental screenings, and cavities filled, right from their shelter’s parking lot.
“I knew my teeth needed to be fixed but I had no money,” says Michelle Daulton, 18, who has been living at the shelter for about four months and hadn’t seen a dentist since she was 13.
Now she’s had three chipped teeth repaired. “It was absolute and pure relief, I mean that,” she said.
From the Colorado homeless shelter to rural Pennsylvania clinics that can accept new patients, health centers that serve the poor are among the first places the federal stimulus package is being spent. More Here EMR Stimulus Package
The 20 runaway youths living at the Urban Peak shelter had no regular dental care until this spring, when a $1.3 million stimulus grant to a community health center paid for a mobile dental and medical clinic to visit once a month. The residents now get medical and dental screenings, and cavities filled, right from their shelter’s parking lot.
“I knew my teeth needed to be fixed but I had no money,” says Michelle Daulton, 18, who has been living at the shelter for about four months and hadn’t seen a dentist since she was 13.
Now she’s had three chipped teeth repaired. “It was absolute and pure relief, I mean that,” she said.
From the Colorado homeless shelter to rural Pennsylvania clinics that can accept new patients, health centers that serve the poor are among the first places the federal stimulus package is being spent. More Here EMR Stimulus Package
Reports: Hospital Health IT Spending, EHR Market To Grow
A new report from the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society’s research arm predicts that U.S. hospitals will spend about $4.7 billion on health IT this year and about $6.8 billion by 2014, Health Data Management reports.
For the report, titled “Essentials of the U.S. Hospital Market, 4th Edition,” HIMSS Analytics surveyed 5,100 hospitals.
The researchers projected that health IT would account for about 43% to 48% of total hospital capital budgets this year.
The projected figures are lower than 2007 levels, possibly as a result of the ongoing recession. However, the report predicts that health IT spending will increase over a longer time frame by a compounded annual rate of 7.5%.
The report identifies several factors that could account for the increase in health IT spending, including: More Here Electronic Prescription
For the report, titled “Essentials of the U.S. Hospital Market, 4th Edition,” HIMSS Analytics surveyed 5,100 hospitals.
The researchers projected that health IT would account for about 43% to 48% of total hospital capital budgets this year.
The projected figures are lower than 2007 levels, possibly as a result of the ongoing recession. However, the report predicts that health IT spending will increase over a longer time frame by a compounded annual rate of 7.5%.
The report identifies several factors that could account for the increase in health IT spending, including: More Here Electronic Prescription
Obama budget reflects IT promise
President Barack Obama’s expanded fiscal year 2010 budget signals continued commitment to advancing healthcare IT as a way to cut healthcare costs and save lives.
Obama’s $3.4 trillion federal budget, released May 8, expanded the outline he presented to Congress at the end of February. It includes $879 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services, an estimated $63 billion increase over fiscal year 2009.
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is expected to receive $372 million to conduct research on comparative effectiveness, prevention and care management, value research, health information technology and patient safety. In addition, the AHRQ will use the funding to support research it conducts with other agencies.
The president’s budget for AHRQ will be in addition to the $1.1 billion allotted for comparative effectiveness research under the stimulus package.
Obama’s plan calls for $635 billion over 10 years as a “down payment” toward health reform. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius called it “a smart investment.” More Here EMR Stimulus Package
Obama’s $3.4 trillion federal budget, released May 8, expanded the outline he presented to Congress at the end of February. It includes $879 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services, an estimated $63 billion increase over fiscal year 2009.
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is expected to receive $372 million to conduct research on comparative effectiveness, prevention and care management, value research, health information technology and patient safety. In addition, the AHRQ will use the funding to support research it conducts with other agencies.
The president’s budget for AHRQ will be in addition to the $1.1 billion allotted for comparative effectiveness research under the stimulus package.
Obama’s plan calls for $635 billion over 10 years as a “down payment” toward health reform. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius called it “a smart investment.” More Here EMR Stimulus Package
CCHIT holds release of IT system testing criteria
The Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology has put on hold the rollout of its new sets of completed testing criteria for multiple health IT systems while it waits for HHS to release its plans for certifying IT under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, also called the stimulus law.
Earlier this month, CCHIT announced it had completed work on updated versions of test scripts and criteria for use in the 2009-10 round of testing and certification.
The commission also announced it will publish in either June or July an updated certification handbook explaining the testing and certification process. But CCHIT Chairman Mark Leavitt said that it won’t be taking applications from IT vendors for testing and certifying their electronic health record and other systems until HHS acts
Leavitt said that CCHIT will defer launch of its 2009-10 testing programs until its people have had a chance to look at the initial batch of HHS-approved criteria under the stimulus act. The law mandates the creation of an HIT Policy Committee and an HIT Standards Committee to develop and review IT certification criteria as well as health information transmission standards and implementation specifications. More Here EMR Stimulus Package
Earlier this month, CCHIT announced it had completed work on updated versions of test scripts and criteria for use in the 2009-10 round of testing and certification.
The commission also announced it will publish in either June or July an updated certification handbook explaining the testing and certification process. But CCHIT Chairman Mark Leavitt said that it won’t be taking applications from IT vendors for testing and certifying their electronic health record and other systems until HHS acts
Leavitt said that CCHIT will defer launch of its 2009-10 testing programs until its people have had a chance to look at the initial batch of HHS-approved criteria under the stimulus act. The law mandates the creation of an HIT Policy Committee and an HIT Standards Committee to develop and review IT certification criteria as well as health information transmission standards and implementation specifications. More Here EMR Stimulus Package
CCHIT holds release of IT system testing criteria
The Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology has put on hold the rollout of its new sets of completed testing criteria for multiple health IT systems while it waits for HHS to release its plans for certifying IT under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, also called the stimulus law.
Earlier this month, CCHIT announced it had completed work on updated versions of test scripts and criteria for use in the 2009-10 round of testing and certification.
The commission also announced it will publish in either June or July an updated certification handbook explaining the testing and certification process. But CCHIT Chairman Mark Leavitt said that it won’t be taking applications from IT vendors for testing and certifying their electronic health record and other systems until HHS acts
Leavitt said that CCHIT will defer launch of its 2009-10 testing programs until its people have had a chance to look at the initial batch of HHS-approved criteria under the stimulus act. The law mandates the creation of an HIT Policy Committee and an HIT Standards Committee to develop and review IT certification criteria as well as health information transmission standards and implementation specifications. More Here EMR Stimulus Package
Earlier this month, CCHIT announced it had completed work on updated versions of test scripts and criteria for use in the 2009-10 round of testing and certification.
The commission also announced it will publish in either June or July an updated certification handbook explaining the testing and certification process. But CCHIT Chairman Mark Leavitt said that it won’t be taking applications from IT vendors for testing and certifying their electronic health record and other systems until HHS acts
Leavitt said that CCHIT will defer launch of its 2009-10 testing programs until its people have had a chance to look at the initial batch of HHS-approved criteria under the stimulus act. The law mandates the creation of an HIT Policy Committee and an HIT Standards Committee to develop and review IT certification criteria as well as health information transmission standards and implementation specifications. More Here EMR Stimulus Package
EHR adopters could face series of tighter standards
There may soon be one more incentive for hospitals and physician offices to buy and install electronic health-record systems on or before 2011. The added push could come from the prospect of increasingly higher thresholds of initial federal eligibility requirements for EHR subsidies under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, according to discussions at today’s meeting of the Health Information Technology Policy Committee.
A work group of that committee delivered its first draft of recommended definitions of “meaningful use” of EHRs, a standard that providers must meet to qualify for subsidy payments estimated at $34 billion to be handed out by Medicare and Medicaid. The work group recommended instituting a series of increasingly complex meaningful-use requirements between 2011, the first “payment year” of the subsidy program, and 2015, the final year payments will be made before financial penalties for not adopting begin.
During those discussions, Anthony Trenkle, director of the CMS’ office of e-Health Standards and Services, said the requirements will not be “tiered” based on when the provider adopts an EHR after 2011. Instead, whatever meaningful use standards are applicable for the year the provider applies for an EHR subsidy are the standards that provider must meet, regardless of whether it is the provider’s first year of EHR implementation.
A 10-day public comment period opens today on the work group’s initial recommendations. Trenkle said the CMS hopes to have a final definition of “meaningful use” to put out for a 60-day comment period later this year, with final rulemaking not expected until early next year. More Here EMR Stimulus Package
A work group of that committee delivered its first draft of recommended definitions of “meaningful use” of EHRs, a standard that providers must meet to qualify for subsidy payments estimated at $34 billion to be handed out by Medicare and Medicaid. The work group recommended instituting a series of increasingly complex meaningful-use requirements between 2011, the first “payment year” of the subsidy program, and 2015, the final year payments will be made before financial penalties for not adopting begin.
During those discussions, Anthony Trenkle, director of the CMS’ office of e-Health Standards and Services, said the requirements will not be “tiered” based on when the provider adopts an EHR after 2011. Instead, whatever meaningful use standards are applicable for the year the provider applies for an EHR subsidy are the standards that provider must meet, regardless of whether it is the provider’s first year of EHR implementation.
A 10-day public comment period opens today on the work group’s initial recommendations. Trenkle said the CMS hopes to have a final definition of “meaningful use” to put out for a 60-day comment period later this year, with final rulemaking not expected until early next year. More Here EMR Stimulus Package
Obama challenges health insurance industry arguments
Saying it’s not logical to complain that the government ‘can’t run anything’ but will put them out of business, he also leaves room for compromise on a public plan as Congress tackles the issue.
By Noam N. Levey and Peter Nicholas
Reporting from Washington — In an effort to maintain control of the healthcare debate, President Obama on Tuesday ridiculed critics of his government-run insurance proposal, saying private insurers have nothing to fear if they are efficient and consumer-friendly.
“If private insurers say that the marketplace provides the best-quality healthcare — if they tell us that they’re offering a good deal — then why is it that the government, which they say can’t run anything, suddenly is going to drive them out of business?” Obama asked. “That’s not logical.”
t the same time, the president left the door open to compromise with the private insurance industry as Congress begins the process of tackling one of the most complex and politically sensitive issues on the national agenda.
In a news conference Tuesday, Obama framed his proposal as the only way to break the cycle of ever-higher medical costs that has sapped the financial stability of families and the government.
At the same time, however, he refused to rule out the possibility that he might sign a healthcare bill that did not include a public-plan option. More Here
EMR Stimulus Package
By Noam N. Levey and Peter Nicholas
Reporting from Washington — In an effort to maintain control of the healthcare debate, President Obama on Tuesday ridiculed critics of his government-run insurance proposal, saying private insurers have nothing to fear if they are efficient and consumer-friendly.
“If private insurers say that the marketplace provides the best-quality healthcare — if they tell us that they’re offering a good deal — then why is it that the government, which they say can’t run anything, suddenly is going to drive them out of business?” Obama asked. “That’s not logical.”
t the same time, the president left the door open to compromise with the private insurance industry as Congress begins the process of tackling one of the most complex and politically sensitive issues on the national agenda.
In a news conference Tuesday, Obama framed his proposal as the only way to break the cycle of ever-higher medical costs that has sapped the financial stability of families and the government.
At the same time, however, he refused to rule out the possibility that he might sign a healthcare bill that did not include a public-plan option. More Here
EMR Stimulus Package
Incentives for Using EHR Systems
This spring, I traveled extensively to Washington, D.C., for a variety of reasons, mainly to advocate on behalf of chiropractic physicians as our government initiates massive health care reform efforts.
I attended the HL-7 Conference, which is an invitation-only gathering of health care officials dedicated to setting the programming standards for health information exchanges (HIEs) and standards for required data for electronic health records (EHRs).
The conference, sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, has historically been limited to hospital and allopathic audiences. This year’s group was expanded for the first time to include other health care experts, and I was the designee from the chiropractic profession. My goal and commitment to the profession remains clear: I want to ensure that the interests of chiropractic physicians are considered in any and all discussions related to policy-making for health care information technology. And in the case of HL-7, chiropractic participation is critical so the concerns of our profession with regard to the development of HIEs will be heard.
The catalyst for broadening this conference audience was presumably the economic stimulus package, formally known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, which includes more than $19 billion to fund the introduction of electronic health records in every physician office in America. The section of the ARRA that deals specifically with this appropriation is the HITECH Act, which outlines the requirements for funding eligibility. To be qualified for incentive payments offered through the legislation, doctors must adopt qualified EHRs that have the functionality to communicate with HIEs, making the standards by which HIEs are governed extremely important and elevating the prominence of interfacing capabilities with other systems. EMR
I attended the HL-7 Conference, which is an invitation-only gathering of health care officials dedicated to setting the programming standards for health information exchanges (HIEs) and standards for required data for electronic health records (EHRs).
The conference, sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, has historically been limited to hospital and allopathic audiences. This year’s group was expanded for the first time to include other health care experts, and I was the designee from the chiropractic profession. My goal and commitment to the profession remains clear: I want to ensure that the interests of chiropractic physicians are considered in any and all discussions related to policy-making for health care information technology. And in the case of HL-7, chiropractic participation is critical so the concerns of our profession with regard to the development of HIEs will be heard.
The catalyst for broadening this conference audience was presumably the economic stimulus package, formally known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, which includes more than $19 billion to fund the introduction of electronic health records in every physician office in America. The section of the ARRA that deals specifically with this appropriation is the HITECH Act, which outlines the requirements for funding eligibility. To be qualified for incentive payments offered through the legislation, doctors must adopt qualified EHRs that have the functionality to communicate with HIEs, making the standards by which HIEs are governed extremely important and elevating the prominence of interfacing capabilities with other systems. EMR
AMA weighs in on EMR security breaches
CHICAGO – The American Medical Association has adopted new guiding principles for physicians in the event a patient’s electronic medical record is breached. AMA members approved the guidelines at the group’s annual policy-making meeting earlier this week in Chicago.
“Protecting the privacy and safety of patient information, whether in a paper record or an electronic medical record, is a top priority for physicians,” said AMA board member William A. Dolan, MD. “Physicians need a standard protocol to follow to maintain patient security in the event of a breach of personal information.” More Here EMR
“Protecting the privacy and safety of patient information, whether in a paper record or an electronic medical record, is a top priority for physicians,” said AMA board member William A. Dolan, MD. “Physicians need a standard protocol to follow to maintain patient security in the event of a breach of personal information.” More Here EMR
Medical Transcription
Medical transcription, also known as MT, is an allied health profession, which deals in the process of transcription, or converting voice-recorded reports as dictated by physicians and/or other healthcare professionals into text format.
Traditional medical transcription is a form of document creation that the medical industry considers outdated, but necessary as a means of providing the necessary documentation needed to satisfy regulatory and insurance provider requirements. The practice of modern medicine dictates that the physicians spend more time serving patient needs than creating documents in order to make financial ends meet. More modern methods of document creation are being implemented through the technology of computers and the internet. Voice Recognition (VR) is one of these new-age technologies. With the power to write up to 200 words per minute with 99% accuracy Voice Recognition has freed physicians from the shackles of traditional transcription services.
Medical transcription is still the primary mechanism for a physician to clearly communicate with other healthcare providers who access the patient record; to advise them on the state of the patient’s health and past/current treatment; to assure continuity of care. More recently, following Federal and State Disability Act changes, a written report (IME) became a requirement for documentation of a medical bill or an application for Workers’ Compensation (or continuation thereof) insurance benefits based on requirements of Federal and State agencies. More Here Medical Transcription
Traditional medical transcription is a form of document creation that the medical industry considers outdated, but necessary as a means of providing the necessary documentation needed to satisfy regulatory and insurance provider requirements. The practice of modern medicine dictates that the physicians spend more time serving patient needs than creating documents in order to make financial ends meet. More modern methods of document creation are being implemented through the technology of computers and the internet. Voice Recognition (VR) is one of these new-age technologies. With the power to write up to 200 words per minute with 99% accuracy Voice Recognition has freed physicians from the shackles of traditional transcription services.
Medical transcription is still the primary mechanism for a physician to clearly communicate with other healthcare providers who access the patient record; to advise them on the state of the patient’s health and past/current treatment; to assure continuity of care. More recently, following Federal and State Disability Act changes, a written report (IME) became a requirement for documentation of a medical bill or an application for Workers’ Compensation (or continuation thereof) insurance benefits based on requirements of Federal and State agencies. More Here Medical Transcription
MTIAPI and MTIA Forged Medical Transcription Accord
The Medical Transcription Industry Association of the Philippines, Inc. (MTIAPI) has forged an agreement with the US-based Medical Transcription Industry Association (MTIA) to protect the interest of the industry.
clip image001 MTIAPI and MTIA Forged Medical Transcription Accord
MTIAPI president Myla Rose Mundo-Reyes, who attended the Building a Viable and Sustainable Relationship with Offshore MT Service Organizations by the Medical Transcription Industry Association (MTIA) conference held recently in Long Beach, California reported.
“I was actually glad that the participants’ concerns on quality, data privacy, public holidays and government support in policy making were openly raised because I was given the opportunity to inform them that the Philippines is addressing exactly the same issues that really matter to our clients,” Reyes said. More Here Medical Transcription
clip image001 MTIAPI and MTIA Forged Medical Transcription Accord
MTIAPI president Myla Rose Mundo-Reyes, who attended the Building a Viable and Sustainable Relationship with Offshore MT Service Organizations by the Medical Transcription Industry Association (MTIA) conference held recently in Long Beach, California reported.
“I was actually glad that the participants’ concerns on quality, data privacy, public holidays and government support in policy making were openly raised because I was given the opportunity to inform them that the Philippines is addressing exactly the same issues that really matter to our clients,” Reyes said. More Here Medical Transcription
Study: N.C. ranks high in electronic prescription transfers
The percentage of medical prescriptions routed electronically from a physician’s office to a pharmacy hit 6.4 percent in North Carolina in 2008, giving the state a sixth-place national ranking, according to survey by St. Paul, Minn.-based Surescripts, a medical networking company.
Surescripts, formed as a result of the 2008 merger of RxHub and Surescripts, has been conducting the survey over the past four years to gauge the use of high-tech service delivery in medicine. More Here Electronic Prescription
Surescripts, formed as a result of the 2008 merger of RxHub and Surescripts, has been conducting the survey over the past four years to gauge the use of high-tech service delivery in medicine. More Here Electronic Prescription
Tennessee posts big gains in electronic prescriptions
Tennessee posted the second best improvement among states last year in use of computers by doctors to send prescriptions electronically to pharmacists, according to the latest ranking by the nation’s largest e-prescribing network.
Overall, health-care providers statewide issued more than 1.78 million electronic prescriptions in 2008, representing more than 4 percent of prescriptions eligible to be sent electronically. That increase helped the state to jump 11 spots to 18th from 29th in the state-by-state ranking by Surescripts based on volume through its network.
Analysts attribute the improvement to state-led efforts that encouraged dialogue between physicians and pharmacists at the community level and educated about the benefits of e-prescribing including improving patient safety. “It’s our hope to see e-prescribing become a natural part of every health-care provider’s workflow because of its practical benefits to patients in providing better care,” said Gov. Phil Bredesen, who received an award on behalf of the state at an event in Washington on Monday. More Here Electronic Prescription
Overall, health-care providers statewide issued more than 1.78 million electronic prescriptions in 2008, representing more than 4 percent of prescriptions eligible to be sent electronically. That increase helped the state to jump 11 spots to 18th from 29th in the state-by-state ranking by Surescripts based on volume through its network.
Analysts attribute the improvement to state-led efforts that encouraged dialogue between physicians and pharmacists at the community level and educated about the benefits of e-prescribing including improving patient safety. “It’s our hope to see e-prescribing become a natural part of every health-care provider’s workflow because of its practical benefits to patients in providing better care,” said Gov. Phil Bredesen, who received an award on behalf of the state at an event in Washington on Monday. More Here Electronic Prescription
EMR Fear and Loathing at the American Medical Association
If some of the paranoia about health IT that I heard last week at the American Medical Association annual meeting really is representative of practicing physicians — and not just the protectionist Medical Establishment — this country is in trouble.
As much as the AMA purports to speak for all doctors, only about one in five U.S. physicians is a dues-paying member these days, and the membership does largely seem like a clubby collection of aging white males who stubbornly cling to the status quo — particularly when it comes to IT. This is a remarkable situation, given that the status quo in health IT has changed like never before with the the stimulus legislation that allocates a net $19.2 billion for health IT over the next eight years, the bulk of which goes to help doctors and hospitals purchase electronic medical records. http://ping.fm/dUrrG
As much as the AMA purports to speak for all doctors, only about one in five U.S. physicians is a dues-paying member these days, and the membership does largely seem like a clubby collection of aging white males who stubbornly cling to the status quo — particularly when it comes to IT. This is a remarkable situation, given that the status quo in health IT has changed like never before with the the stimulus legislation that allocates a net $19.2 billion for health IT over the next eight years, the bulk of which goes to help doctors and hospitals purchase electronic medical records. http://ping.fm/dUrrG
Before buying an EMR system, learn from others? mistakes
Technically Speaking. By Pamela Lewis Dolan, AMNews staff.
If you talk to 10 physician practices after a major technology implementation, you’ll likely get 10 different stories about the lessons they learned.
So what is the biggest mistake? Experts say it’s not listening to those doctors and learning from their experiences.
Consultants say no matter whether you are a hospital or small physician practice, or whether you are implementing an electronic medical record or an e-prescribing system, there are patterns in the mistakes made during the shopping for and implementing of technology.
“In medicine, there will be times when people try things and they will turn out to not be the best things to do. You don’t want to be in a situation of making a mistake when “all you had to do is check with somebody to find the appropriate way to do things,” said James Jose, MD, a pediatric critical care doctor who is chief information officer of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Richard C. Howe, PhD, vice president of business development at Healthcare Informatics Associates, said he, too, has seen several implementation projects fail after trying to go it alone without asking for advice from experts or peers. HIA, based in Bainbridge Island, Wash., provides health IT consulting and implementation services.
Experts such as consultants, trade groups and user groups, have a wider pool of experiences to draw from, Howe said. And peers are important because they can provide an overview of what problems they ran into and how they solved them. EMR
If you talk to 10 physician practices after a major technology implementation, you’ll likely get 10 different stories about the lessons they learned.
So what is the biggest mistake? Experts say it’s not listening to those doctors and learning from their experiences.
Consultants say no matter whether you are a hospital or small physician practice, or whether you are implementing an electronic medical record or an e-prescribing system, there are patterns in the mistakes made during the shopping for and implementing of technology.
“In medicine, there will be times when people try things and they will turn out to not be the best things to do. You don’t want to be in a situation of making a mistake when “all you had to do is check with somebody to find the appropriate way to do things,” said James Jose, MD, a pediatric critical care doctor who is chief information officer of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Richard C. Howe, PhD, vice president of business development at Healthcare Informatics Associates, said he, too, has seen several implementation projects fail after trying to go it alone without asking for advice from experts or peers. HIA, based in Bainbridge Island, Wash., provides health IT consulting and implementation services.
Experts such as consultants, trade groups and user groups, have a wider pool of experiences to draw from, Howe said. And peers are important because they can provide an overview of what problems they ran into and how they solved them. EMR
EMRs: Not the Healthiest Choice?
Readers write to say that electronic medical records cost more than you think; that companies should be required to make matching 401(k) contributions; and more.
CFO Readers - CFO Magazine
CFO welcomes your letters. Send them to: The Editor, CFO, 253 Summer St., Boston, MA 02210
E-mail us at ScottLeibs@cfo.com, or contact a specific author by clicking on his or her byline. You can also post a comment directly on CFO.com by clicking on the appropriate link at the end of any article.
Please include your full name, title, company name, address, and telephone number. Letters are subject to editing for clarity and length.
Although “Strong Medicine” (May) does provide some insight into why insurers want electronic medical records (EMRs), it has a lot of misconceptions and misstatements. Among them:
1. “Just as technology streamlined industries like retailing and financial services, it should create efficiencies in health care that will slow premium growth from its traditional annual rate of about 7%.” There are no citations offered to show a decent study demonstrating such “efficiencies.”
2. “Malpractice insurers have already linked electronic systems with better-quality care; some will reduce premiums by as much as 5% for doctors who have gone digital.” Very few have actually decreased their premiums. In fact, EMRs can actually result in increased errors, decreased quality, false documentation, and the loss of privacy.
3. “…only about 9% of the country’s 5,000 hospitals and just under 20% of its 800,000 physicians use computerized recordkeeping….” The only data of importance is what falls into the category of “meaningful use.” The actual numbers are 2% of hospitals and 4% of physicians.
4. “Rand…estimates that when 90% of…providers use such systems, the savings will amount to $77 billion a year.” This has never been proven. More here EMR
CFO Readers - CFO Magazine
CFO welcomes your letters. Send them to: The Editor, CFO, 253 Summer St., Boston, MA 02210
E-mail us at ScottLeibs@cfo.com, or contact a specific author by clicking on his or her byline. You can also post a comment directly on CFO.com by clicking on the appropriate link at the end of any article.
Please include your full name, title, company name, address, and telephone number. Letters are subject to editing for clarity and length.
Although “Strong Medicine” (May) does provide some insight into why insurers want electronic medical records (EMRs), it has a lot of misconceptions and misstatements. Among them:
1. “Just as technology streamlined industries like retailing and financial services, it should create efficiencies in health care that will slow premium growth from its traditional annual rate of about 7%.” There are no citations offered to show a decent study demonstrating such “efficiencies.”
2. “Malpractice insurers have already linked electronic systems with better-quality care; some will reduce premiums by as much as 5% for doctors who have gone digital.” Very few have actually decreased their premiums. In fact, EMRs can actually result in increased errors, decreased quality, false documentation, and the loss of privacy.
3. “…only about 9% of the country’s 5,000 hospitals and just under 20% of its 800,000 physicians use computerized recordkeeping….” The only data of importance is what falls into the category of “meaningful use.” The actual numbers are 2% of hospitals and 4% of physicians.
4. “Rand…estimates that when 90% of…providers use such systems, the savings will amount to $77 billion a year.” This has never been proven. More here EMR
EMR Software For Greater Medical Office Efficiency
Medical offices require a lot of efficiency to ensure that all patients are properly taken care of. Every such facility is a busy area where employing multiple people to do one job is a waste of time, money and resources. It will eat away at the revenues of small businesses and will increase running costs. This is particularly true when it comes to maintaining medical records. It is a data intensive job that needs a lot of accuracy and time to do by hand. Sometimes, errors are introduced into the data due to human negligence, which is inevitable.
This is why you should use EMR software that takes care of data handling and free up the time of your employees so that they can work more efficiently. By freeing your employees of records maintenance tasks, you can greatly boost the amount of work that gets done. It will also help you provide a better medical service to your clients and hence increases the amount of business that you are getting. Your clients will greatly appreciate getting improved medical care and your reputation will be better recognized. More Here EMR
This is why you should use EMR software that takes care of data handling and free up the time of your employees so that they can work more efficiently. By freeing your employees of records maintenance tasks, you can greatly boost the amount of work that gets done. It will also help you provide a better medical service to your clients and hence increases the amount of business that you are getting. Your clients will greatly appreciate getting improved medical care and your reputation will be better recognized. More Here EMR
Hospitals To Spend $14B on Health IT Through 2014, HIMSS Says
The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society predicts that hospitals will spend $14.4 billion on IT systems through 2014 but that capital spending will remain relatively flat until funding from the federal stimulus package kicks in, Government Health IT reports.
On Tuesday, HIMSS officials discussed their hospital health IT spending projections, which are based on the group’s tracking of more than 5,000 U.S. hospitals.
According to HIMSS, spending on systems – such as electronic health records, computerized physician order entry and clinical decision support – is expected to reach $1.7 billion this year. Hospitals’ IT spending later will increase because of the effect of the federal stimulus package, HIMSS predicts.
Funding Constraints
Mike Davis, executive vice president of HIMSS Analytics, said that hospitals face funding challenges in the near term.
He said that banks are not lending to the hospitals he has talked to, including those that have submitted business plans based on the federal stimulus package. He added that hospital endowment funds have lost 20% to 30% of their value in some cases. More Here EMR Stimulus Package
On Tuesday, HIMSS officials discussed their hospital health IT spending projections, which are based on the group’s tracking of more than 5,000 U.S. hospitals.
According to HIMSS, spending on systems – such as electronic health records, computerized physician order entry and clinical decision support – is expected to reach $1.7 billion this year. Hospitals’ IT spending later will increase because of the effect of the federal stimulus package, HIMSS predicts.
Funding Constraints
Mike Davis, executive vice president of HIMSS Analytics, said that hospitals face funding challenges in the near term.
He said that banks are not lending to the hospitals he has talked to, including those that have submitted business plans based on the federal stimulus package. He added that hospital endowment funds have lost 20% to 30% of their value in some cases. More Here EMR Stimulus Package
E-prescribing savings will offset the $19B feds will spend for health IT
Consulting firm predicts 75 percent adoption of e-prescribing by 2014
By Nancy Ferris
The stimulus law’s incentives for providers to adopt health information technology will double the rate of e-prescribing and result in a $22 billion reduction in drug and medical costs in the next decade, according to a study commissioned by the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association.
If the study’s authors at consulting firm Visante are correct, the e-prescribing savings alone will more than pay for the $19 billion in adoption incentives and other health IT promotion activities required under the stimulus law.
By 2014, more than three-quarters of prescribers will be using e-prescribing, the researchers said. That is double the number anticipated after passage of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, which includes incentives to encourage Medicare providers to adopt e-prescribing. Today, fewer than 15 percent of prescribers use e-prescribing, according to Visante’s report. Electronic Prescription
By Nancy Ferris
The stimulus law’s incentives for providers to adopt health information technology will double the rate of e-prescribing and result in a $22 billion reduction in drug and medical costs in the next decade, according to a study commissioned by the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association.
If the study’s authors at consulting firm Visante are correct, the e-prescribing savings alone will more than pay for the $19 billion in adoption incentives and other health IT promotion activities required under the stimulus law.
By 2014, more than three-quarters of prescribers will be using e-prescribing, the researchers said. That is double the number anticipated after passage of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, which includes incentives to encourage Medicare providers to adopt e-prescribing. Today, fewer than 15 percent of prescribers use e-prescribing, according to Visante’s report. Electronic Prescription
Incentives to e-Prescribe
By Lorraine Savage
Everyone, it seems, wants doctors to e-prescribe. Physicians are facing an onslaught of government incentives, state and local urgings, and healthcare and consumer organizations’ guilt to make the transition from antiquated paper prescription pads to 21st century electronic prescription systems.
Medicare Incentive Program
The biggest step toward universal e-prescribing was the passage on July 15, 2008 of the new Medicare law that includes an incentive program to increase the use of e-prescribing. Under the measure, physicians participating in Medicare Part D who e-prescribe will receive an incentive bonus of 2% starting in 2009 and for 2010. The bonus goes down to 1% for 2011 and 2012, and to 0.5% in 2013. In addition, Medicare doctors who do not e-prescribe will see their Medicare payments reduced by 1% in 2012, 1.5% in 2013, and 2% thereafter.
Some states are sweetening the Medicare deal. For instance, Tennessee has offered a grant of $3,500 to doctors who e-prescribe for two years. And while New Hampshire has not offered monetary incentives, the state’s Citizens Health Initiative, backed by the governor, developed a plan two years ago to encourage all physicians to e-prescribe by October 2008. More here Electronic Prescription
Everyone, it seems, wants doctors to e-prescribe. Physicians are facing an onslaught of government incentives, state and local urgings, and healthcare and consumer organizations’ guilt to make the transition from antiquated paper prescription pads to 21st century electronic prescription systems.
Medicare Incentive Program
The biggest step toward universal e-prescribing was the passage on July 15, 2008 of the new Medicare law that includes an incentive program to increase the use of e-prescribing. Under the measure, physicians participating in Medicare Part D who e-prescribe will receive an incentive bonus of 2% starting in 2009 and for 2010. The bonus goes down to 1% for 2011 and 2012, and to 0.5% in 2013. In addition, Medicare doctors who do not e-prescribe will see their Medicare payments reduced by 1% in 2012, 1.5% in 2013, and 2% thereafter.
Some states are sweetening the Medicare deal. For instance, Tennessee has offered a grant of $3,500 to doctors who e-prescribe for two years. And while New Hampshire has not offered monetary incentives, the state’s Citizens Health Initiative, backed by the governor, developed a plan two years ago to encourage all physicians to e-prescribe by October 2008. More here Electronic Prescription
The Latest on e-Prescribing
MGMA Connexion — More and more medical groups are adopting electronic prescribing (eprescribing) technology. Writing and transmitting prescriptions electronically, rather than by pen and paper or fax, can help a medical group significantly improve patient safety and simplify administrative processes. Both the public and private sectors have sought to stimulate the implementation of e-prescribing. The federal government has been developing a series of national e-prescribing standards that promote usability and data-sharing among providers, pharmacies and other health care entities. In addition, changes to the Medicare Modernization Act — currently slated to take effect Jan. 1, 2009 — require that all computer generated prescriptions comply with the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs script standard and be transmitted by computer electronically, not via fax.1 More here Electronic Prescription
OCALA BUSINESS JOURNAL SPECIAL REPORT: HEALTH CARE
With doctors’ workloads increasing, medical billing becomes growth industry
By Jeff Brooks, Special to Ocala Business Journal
OCALA — For many doctors, the toughest part of the job isn’t the grueling work schedule or the never ending license requirements, it’s the bottom line.
Related Links:
“The hardest part of being a doctor is getting paid,” said Betsy Diago, owner of Ocala-based medical billing company The Claims Doctor Inc.
Health care is America’s fastest growing industry and currently accounts for 16.7 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product. In Florida, health care is a $100-plus billion industry with more than 56,000 licensed physicians statewide. With 78 million baby boomers approaching retirement age and needing increased medical care, doctors will be overloaded with patients, leaving little time to deal with insurance companies, HMOs and billing matters.
That’s one reason why more and more physicians are turning to companies like Diago’s.
“Billing is a full-time business and in many offices the doctors are trying to use somebody to do their billing who also have other duties,” said Diago, who started her business 14 years ago in Tampa before relocating to Ocala. “That’s very difficult for someone to do. It’s an extremely demanding part of a practice.” Medical Billing Outsourcing
By Jeff Brooks, Special to Ocala Business Journal
OCALA — For many doctors, the toughest part of the job isn’t the grueling work schedule or the never ending license requirements, it’s the bottom line.
Related Links:
“The hardest part of being a doctor is getting paid,” said Betsy Diago, owner of Ocala-based medical billing company The Claims Doctor Inc.
Health care is America’s fastest growing industry and currently accounts for 16.7 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product. In Florida, health care is a $100-plus billion industry with more than 56,000 licensed physicians statewide. With 78 million baby boomers approaching retirement age and needing increased medical care, doctors will be overloaded with patients, leaving little time to deal with insurance companies, HMOs and billing matters.
That’s one reason why more and more physicians are turning to companies like Diago’s.
“Billing is a full-time business and in many offices the doctors are trying to use somebody to do their billing who also have other duties,” said Diago, who started her business 14 years ago in Tampa before relocating to Ocala. “That’s very difficult for someone to do. It’s an extremely demanding part of a practice.” Medical Billing Outsourcing
Direct billing could ease pain of health care costs
The ink was barely dry on last Sunday’s column when friend Tom Diffenbach sent me an article from the previous day’s New York Times about primary care physicians who bill their patients directly and save a ton of money on administrative costs.
The number of so-called “patient-centered” practices is growing, the newspaper said, because doctors find they can spend twice as much time with patients and cut their overhead by as much as half by using new technologies and avoiding the red tape of filing insurance claims.
One Seattle physician charges her patients a monthly fee of $54 to $129, based on age, and encourages them to purchase a high-deductible insurance policy for serious illnesses. She spends 30 minutes to an hour with each patient. Medical Billing Outsourcing
The number of so-called “patient-centered” practices is growing, the newspaper said, because doctors find they can spend twice as much time with patients and cut their overhead by as much as half by using new technologies and avoiding the red tape of filing insurance claims.
One Seattle physician charges her patients a monthly fee of $54 to $129, based on age, and encourages them to purchase a high-deductible insurance policy for serious illnesses. She spends 30 minutes to an hour with each patient. Medical Billing Outsourcing
Obama names health IT as first step in reform
WASHINGTON – At a keynote speech at the annual conference of the American Medical Association Monday, President Obama said healthcare IT is the first step to reforming care in the U.S. He said there is already “widespread agreement” on steps necessary to improve the healthcare system, including the use of health IT.
“First, we need to upgrade our medical records by switching from a paper to an electronic system of record keeping. And we’ve already begun to do this with an investment we made as part of our Recovery Act,” he said. Read more here http://ping.fm/WOakT
“First, we need to upgrade our medical records by switching from a paper to an electronic system of record keeping. And we’ve already begun to do this with an investment we made as part of our Recovery Act,” he said. Read more here http://ping.fm/WOakT
Electronic prescribing systems boost efficiency, may lead to improved quality of care
New research published in the May issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons indicates that the adoption of electronic prescribing systems may allow for greater efficiency at hospitals, which could result in long-term cost savings and improved quality of care. In an attempt to reduce or eliminate potentially harmful medication errors, the Institute of Medicine has called for the use of electronic prescribing systems in all health care organizations by 2010. Mixed results have been reported about the benefits of these systems for patients, but experts believe that additional software enhancements and more user-friendly platforms will prompt more hospitals to adopt electronic prescribing systems.
“Although we found that the implementation of an electronic prescribing system at our institution had no substantial impact on the rate of medication errors, we did see considerable gains in efficiency for the ordering process,” said William M. Stone, MD, FACS, of Mayo Clinic Arizona.
“Patient safety is not simply reducing the number of medication errors. The use of this system makes obtaining treatment more efficient, could significantly lower health care costs and may also improve patient outcomes. Further study will show if these are additional benefits.” More Here http://ping.fm/RI6j5
“Although we found that the implementation of an electronic prescribing system at our institution had no substantial impact on the rate of medication errors, we did see considerable gains in efficiency for the ordering process,” said William M. Stone, MD, FACS, of Mayo Clinic Arizona.
“Patient safety is not simply reducing the number of medication errors. The use of this system makes obtaining treatment more efficient, could significantly lower health care costs and may also improve patient outcomes. Further study will show if these are additional benefits.” More Here http://ping.fm/RI6j5
Medical Transcription as Proven Accelerator of EHR Adoption
AHDI and MTIA bring their message to Capitol Hill.
The transcription sector took a solution-focused message to Capitol Hill June 3-4 in response to President Obama’s provisions and mandate for EHR adoption under the recent HITECH Act. With this administration’s push to have both a definition and criteria for “meaningful use” determined by July of this year, the Medical Transcription Industry Association (MTIA) and the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) believe there is a critically narrow window of opportunity for this sector to ensure that such criteria includes provisions for the evolving role of transcription in hybrid capture, where complex narrative is preserved and quality outcomes, not just fiscal savings, drive adoption and integration. The HIT vendor community is positioning itself around key decision-makers in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in whose hands the determination of “meaningful use” now resides. Inarguably, the primary interest of those vendors is in securing widespread EHR adoption through HITECH provisions, and our message to legislators was that HHS needs others at the decision-making table whose interest is geared more toward how these technologies will be deployed and not whether they will be deployed. More Here http://ping.fm/L6S6G
The transcription sector took a solution-focused message to Capitol Hill June 3-4 in response to President Obama’s provisions and mandate for EHR adoption under the recent HITECH Act. With this administration’s push to have both a definition and criteria for “meaningful use” determined by July of this year, the Medical Transcription Industry Association (MTIA) and the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) believe there is a critically narrow window of opportunity for this sector to ensure that such criteria includes provisions for the evolving role of transcription in hybrid capture, where complex narrative is preserved and quality outcomes, not just fiscal savings, drive adoption and integration. The HIT vendor community is positioning itself around key decision-makers in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in whose hands the determination of “meaningful use” now resides. Inarguably, the primary interest of those vendors is in securing widespread EHR adoption through HITECH provisions, and our message to legislators was that HHS needs others at the decision-making table whose interest is geared more toward how these technologies will be deployed and not whether they will be deployed. More Here http://ping.fm/L6S6G
EMR Software For Greater Medical Office Efficiency
Medical offices require a lot of efficiency to ensure that all patients are properly taken care of. Every such facility is a busy area where employing multiple people to do one job is a waste of time, money and resources. It will eat away at the revenues of small businesses and will increase running costs. This is particularly true when it comes to maintaining medical records. It is a data intensive job that needs a lot of accuracy and time to do by hand. Sometimes, errors are introduced into the data due to human negligence, which is inevitable.
This is why you should use EMR software that takes care of data handling and free up the time of your employees so that they can work more efficiently. By freeing your employees of records maintenance tasks, you can greatly boost the amount of work that gets done. It will also help you provide a better medical service to your clients and hence increases the amount of business that you are getting. Your clients will greatly appreciate getting improved medical care and your reputation will be better recognized. More Here http://ping.fm/Kvj4Y
This is why you should use EMR software that takes care of data handling and free up the time of your employees so that they can work more efficiently. By freeing your employees of records maintenance tasks, you can greatly boost the amount of work that gets done. It will also help you provide a better medical service to your clients and hence increases the amount of business that you are getting. Your clients will greatly appreciate getting improved medical care and your reputation will be better recognized. More Here http://ping.fm/Kvj4Y
How Do Many Large Medical Offices Cut Costs and Downsize?
There are many large medical offices and medical facilities that try to cut cost and downsize on the amount of people that they have as employees in order to make their profits go up. Medical billing outsourcing India is the solution that they usually turn to. In India, there are many medical billing firms that are set up to do the medical billing for anyone who needs their services, no matter where they may be located. The electronic billing process is done completely over the computer using the internet so just because the actual people are across the world does not mean that it would not be almost the same thing as if they were in the next office.
This form of outsourcing has become very popular due to the fact that the costs for sending your billing out are a lot cheaper than implementing a software program within your facility and having to hire the staff to do the work. The companies that are doing this type of billing are also outsourcing themselves in order to make a profit because they do not charge a large amount from the medical facilities in the states. They get the work, the medical facilities do the billing and they also have their own clearinghouse in order to audit the claims. More Here http://ping.fm/RRkYP
This form of outsourcing has become very popular due to the fact that the costs for sending your billing out are a lot cheaper than implementing a software program within your facility and having to hire the staff to do the work. The companies that are doing this type of billing are also outsourcing themselves in order to make a profit because they do not charge a large amount from the medical facilities in the states. They get the work, the medical facilities do the billing and they also have their own clearinghouse in order to audit the claims. More Here http://ping.fm/RRkYP
E-prescribing sees growth, but action still required
ALEXANDRIA, VA – Electronic prescribing has seen significant growth in adoption and use of critical components, according to the annual National Progress Report on E-Prescribing.
The report, released by Alexandria, Va.-based Surescripts, documents the status of e-prescribing adoption and use in the United States from 2006 through 2008.
According to the report, more than 100,000 prescribers are now routing prescriptions electronically, and the use of three critical components of e-prescribing – electronic prescription benefit, history and routing – jumped 61 percent in the first quarter of 2009. This jump resulted in more than 134 million e-prescribing messages being exchanged among prescribers, payers and pharmacies. More Here http://ping.fm/I8mdK
The report, released by Alexandria, Va.-based Surescripts, documents the status of e-prescribing adoption and use in the United States from 2006 through 2008.
According to the report, more than 100,000 prescribers are now routing prescriptions electronically, and the use of three critical components of e-prescribing – electronic prescription benefit, history and routing – jumped 61 percent in the first quarter of 2009. This jump resulted in more than 134 million e-prescribing messages being exchanged among prescribers, payers and pharmacies. More Here http://ping.fm/I8mdK
The Economic Stimulus Bill and EHR Software - Stimulating the Health Industry
The economic stimulus bill, passed as the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, included provisions for health industry reform. Most of this funding was included in the “Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act” portion of stimulus bill.
There are eight key areas where funding has been allocated to stimulate the healthcare industry. In particular, there is an emphasis on providing funds for Electronic Health Record (EHR) software. Putting money into this sector of the healthcare industry will allow individual medical practices and the entire medical system to become more organized, streamlined and cost-efficient.
Money for EHR software and other medical advances was included in eight main allocations of the economic stimulus bill: More here http://ping.fm/QleRv
There are eight key areas where funding has been allocated to stimulate the healthcare industry. In particular, there is an emphasis on providing funds for Electronic Health Record (EHR) software. Putting money into this sector of the healthcare industry will allow individual medical practices and the entire medical system to become more organized, streamlined and cost-efficient.
Money for EHR software and other medical advances was included in eight main allocations of the economic stimulus bill: More here http://ping.fm/QleRv
Incentives Push More Doctors to E-Prescribe
Electronic Systems Shown to Reduce Dangerous Errors; A Cure for Poor Penmanship
With a host of new incentives, doctors are finally beginning to scrap pen and paper in favor of electronic prescriptions.
Medicare began paying doctors a bonus if they switch their patients over to e-prescribing. Some private health plans also have begun offering extra payments along with free equipment, such as digital handheld devices. And a coalition of technology companies is giving doctors free software to encourage them to ditch their paper prescription pads. As a result, the number of physicians prescribing medicines electronically has more than doubled in the past year to about 70,000, or about 12% of all office-based doctors.
E-prescribing allows doctors to transmit prescriptions via a secure Internet network directly to pharmacies using an office or laptop computer or a digital handheld device. The practice has been shown in studies to reduce prescription errors and to cut costs for consumers and health-care providers. It also encourages patients to get more of their prescriptions filled, because it reduces the time spent waiting at drug stores. The Obama administration’s plan to invest $50 billion over five years to encourage broader adoption of health-information technology is expected to include additional incentives for electronic prescribing.
But there are still barriers to full-fledged adoption of e-prescribing. Federal drug laws, which are under review, prohibit electronic prescribing of controlled medications such as narcotics, insomnia drugs and anti-depressants. Safety experts also warn that selecting prescriptions on a computer screen can cause a doctor to inadvertently enter, for instance, a quick-release version of a drug instead of a long-acting formulation because they appear in sequence on an e-prescribing program. http://www.eprescriptionservices.com/incentives-push-doctors-eprescribe/
With a host of new incentives, doctors are finally beginning to scrap pen and paper in favor of electronic prescriptions.
Medicare began paying doctors a bonus if they switch their patients over to e-prescribing. Some private health plans also have begun offering extra payments along with free equipment, such as digital handheld devices. And a coalition of technology companies is giving doctors free software to encourage them to ditch their paper prescription pads. As a result, the number of physicians prescribing medicines electronically has more than doubled in the past year to about 70,000, or about 12% of all office-based doctors.
E-prescribing allows doctors to transmit prescriptions via a secure Internet network directly to pharmacies using an office or laptop computer or a digital handheld device. The practice has been shown in studies to reduce prescription errors and to cut costs for consumers and health-care providers. It also encourages patients to get more of their prescriptions filled, because it reduces the time spent waiting at drug stores. The Obama administration’s plan to invest $50 billion over five years to encourage broader adoption of health-information technology is expected to include additional incentives for electronic prescribing.
But there are still barriers to full-fledged adoption of e-prescribing. Federal drug laws, which are under review, prohibit electronic prescribing of controlled medications such as narcotics, insomnia drugs and anti-depressants. Safety experts also warn that selecting prescriptions on a computer screen can cause a doctor to inadvertently enter, for instance, a quick-release version of a drug instead of a long-acting formulation because they appear in sequence on an e-prescribing program. http://www.eprescriptionservices.com/incentives-push-doctors-eprescribe/
Prepare to meet ?meaningful use? EMR requirement
True or false? The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will provide physician practices incentives for the purchase of an electronic medical record system.
False. The ARRA is, indeed, meant to foster health IT adoption. But the incentive money will directly address the use of EMRs, not the purchase of the systems.
Secretary of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, has until the end of the year to define “meaningful use,” which physicians will have to meet by 2011, when the incentives kick in.
Without a definition, those in the market for an EMR are left wondering if waiting might be the best option, while early adopters wonder if their systems can meet future standards.
So what’s a practice to do?
The experts’ answer: Don’t wait to buy or upgrade just for want of a definition. There are enough clues in the legislation to estimate the definition of “meaningful use.”
Experts say it will be easier on you, and your practice, to buy now and tweak later. “Time is your enemy,” said Mark Garsombke, an attorney with the Milwaukee law firm Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek. Waiting to buy could mean a delay in qualifying for incentives, he said. http://ping.fm/gDN8T
False. The ARRA is, indeed, meant to foster health IT adoption. But the incentive money will directly address the use of EMRs, not the purchase of the systems.
Secretary of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, has until the end of the year to define “meaningful use,” which physicians will have to meet by 2011, when the incentives kick in.
Without a definition, those in the market for an EMR are left wondering if waiting might be the best option, while early adopters wonder if their systems can meet future standards.
So what’s a practice to do?
The experts’ answer: Don’t wait to buy or upgrade just for want of a definition. There are enough clues in the legislation to estimate the definition of “meaningful use.”
Experts say it will be easier on you, and your practice, to buy now and tweak later. “Time is your enemy,” said Mark Garsombke, an attorney with the Milwaukee law firm Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek. Waiting to buy could mean a delay in qualifying for incentives, he said. http://ping.fm/gDN8T
Stimulus Bill Raises Concerns Over Government Rationing of Health Care
Two provisions in President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus plan could give the federal government the authority to oversee the medical decisions made between doctors and patients, critics warn, which could result in the rationing of health care.
The plan to make all health records electronic and establish an effectiveness board to review health care costs was part of the $838 billion economic stimulus bill that passed the Senate Tuesday
The bill provides $3 billion to computerize health records, a measure intended to cut costs and reduce medical errors. Language in the stimulus bill calls for “the utilization of an electronic health record (EHR) for each person in the United States by 2014.”
This will require the establishment of the office of National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. The new office ‘‘provides appropriate information to help guide medical decisions at the time and place of care,” according to the language in the bill. http://ping.fm/6IOiC
The plan to make all health records electronic and establish an effectiveness board to review health care costs was part of the $838 billion economic stimulus bill that passed the Senate Tuesday
The bill provides $3 billion to computerize health records, a measure intended to cut costs and reduce medical errors. Language in the stimulus bill calls for “the utilization of an electronic health record (EHR) for each person in the United States by 2014.”
This will require the establishment of the office of National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. The new office ‘‘provides appropriate information to help guide medical decisions at the time and place of care,” according to the language in the bill. http://ping.fm/6IOiC
Why outsourcing medical billing? What are the benefits?
These are the initial queries to anyone because medical billing service is a growing opportunity and covers a wide range of activities to the ever-expanding healthcare industry. One should outsource medical billing services to India or any other outsourcing destination? This is a very tough decision for any one and partially depends on own personal ideology and comfort level.
Hospitals and private medical practitioner will incur the office related expenses such as equipment and software, staff size and employees expenses by outsourcing their requirements to the offshore destinations. Offshore outsourcing will offer new opportunities and benefits to the healthcare industry.
The western Healthcare industry is totally based on insurance and the cost is paid through insurance plans which cover most of the charges for the care provided. Medical billing services can be considered as a process in which medical records comprising of the patients symptoms, clinical findings, diagnosis, and treatment details are coded by medical coders. This billing code is then submitted to the Insurance Carrier which in turn proceeds with the claim. http://ping.fm/BuJKs
Hospitals and private medical practitioner will incur the office related expenses such as equipment and software, staff size and employees expenses by outsourcing their requirements to the offshore destinations. Offshore outsourcing will offer new opportunities and benefits to the healthcare industry.
The western Healthcare industry is totally based on insurance and the cost is paid through insurance plans which cover most of the charges for the care provided. Medical billing services can be considered as a process in which medical records comprising of the patients symptoms, clinical findings, diagnosis, and treatment details are coded by medical coders. This billing code is then submitted to the Insurance Carrier which in turn proceeds with the claim. http://ping.fm/BuJKs
Medical records go electronic
Health care facilities in the region are joining a nationwide effort to make medical records available electronically to cut down on costs and waste and allow medical providers in different areas access to patients’ medical records.
Many facilities in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota already access medical records electronically or are in the process of developing, testing and implementing Electronic Medical Record (EMR) or Personal Health Record (PHR) systems.
Making health records available online in the electronic form of PHRs, which include medical histories updated by patients, could result in industry savings of $13 billion to $21 billion a year in the U.S., according to a November article in the Journal of American Health Information Management Association.
Rural health care facilities have lagged behind in converting to electronic records systems.
Lynette Dickson, program director for the State Office of Rural Health in North Dakota, said federal stimulus package funds aimed at supporting the advancement of health information technology will put pressure on some rural health care facilities that have not developed EMR plans. http://ping.fm/8Je06
Many facilities in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota already access medical records electronically or are in the process of developing, testing and implementing Electronic Medical Record (EMR) or Personal Health Record (PHR) systems.
Making health records available online in the electronic form of PHRs, which include medical histories updated by patients, could result in industry savings of $13 billion to $21 billion a year in the U.S., according to a November article in the Journal of American Health Information Management Association.
Rural health care facilities have lagged behind in converting to electronic records systems.
Lynette Dickson, program director for the State Office of Rural Health in North Dakota, said federal stimulus package funds aimed at supporting the advancement of health information technology will put pressure on some rural health care facilities that have not developed EMR plans. http://ping.fm/8Je06
Fed Study Confirms e-Prescription Savings Potential
A new federal study underscores the potential of electronic prescription systems to slash prescription drug costs.
So-called “e-prescribing” systems that allow doctors to select lower-cost or generic medications can save $845,000 per 100,000 patients per year and possibly more systemwide, according to findings from a new study funded by the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
The findings might have important financial implications, the study’s authors concluded. As e-prescribing systems become more widely available and easier to use, their greater use among doctors is likely. Complete use of e-prescribing systems with formulary decision support could reduce prescription drug spending by up to $3.9 million per 100,000 patients per year, according to the study’s authors. http://ping.fm/1lWac
So-called “e-prescribing” systems that allow doctors to select lower-cost or generic medications can save $845,000 per 100,000 patients per year and possibly more systemwide, according to findings from a new study funded by the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
The findings might have important financial implications, the study’s authors concluded. As e-prescribing systems become more widely available and easier to use, their greater use among doctors is likely. Complete use of e-prescribing systems with formulary decision support could reduce prescription drug spending by up to $3.9 million per 100,000 patients per year, according to the study’s authors. http://ping.fm/1lWac
Economic Stimulus Package Holds Advantages for Health-System Pharmacists
Greater access to health information technology, like bar code administration systems and computerized prescriber order entry systems, is just one of the benefits that pharmacists in hospitals and health systems will reap from the newly enacted economic stimulus package signed by President Obama.
In an analysis of the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, ASHP found more than $100 billion allocated for issues important to the Society, including ensuring the widespread adoption of health information technology, supporting comparative effectiveness research, and alleviating shortages of primary care providers.
Nineteen billion dollars will be set aside to allow hospitals to take advantage of loans and grants to implement health information technology systems throughout their facilities. The stimulus also includes $1.1 billion for comparative effectiveness research to evaluate the clinical outcomes of a variety of treatments, including drug therapy. http://ping.fm/weFF3
In an analysis of the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, ASHP found more than $100 billion allocated for issues important to the Society, including ensuring the widespread adoption of health information technology, supporting comparative effectiveness research, and alleviating shortages of primary care providers.
Nineteen billion dollars will be set aside to allow hospitals to take advantage of loans and grants to implement health information technology systems throughout their facilities. The stimulus also includes $1.1 billion for comparative effectiveness research to evaluate the clinical outcomes of a variety of treatments, including drug therapy. http://ping.fm/weFF3
Accurate Medical Billing Practices Are Essential
Doctors are busy all day long attending to patients and keeping staff happy. You are a doctor, not an accountant. But if the financial end of your medical practice isn’t well organized and working like clockwork, you might risk losing your business altogether. Keeping accurate billing records and making sure you keep the cash flow going is essential to a healthy and lasting practice.
You must have an organizational system in place, and your employees must be properly trained in how to stick to that system. There should be separate files designated for every single piece of paper that passes through the office: there should be nothing loose, whether it is patient information, bills, or receipts.
http://ping.fm/vW2i9
You must have an organizational system in place, and your employees must be properly trained in how to stick to that system. There should be separate files designated for every single piece of paper that passes through the office: there should be nothing loose, whether it is patient information, bills, or receipts.
http://ping.fm/vW2i9
Getting a doctor and an electronic medical record will strengthen health care system: Ontario?s doctors
TORONTO, Ontario’s doctors say a study released today by the Ontario Health Quality Council (OHQC) illustrates the need to remain vigilant in getting every Ontarian a family doctor and expanding access to Electronic Medical Records (EMRs).
“Every person in the province deserves to have access to the care and xpertise of a physician, and Ontario’s doctors will accept nothing less,” aid Dr. Suzanne Strasberg, President of the Ontario Medical Association OMA). “Since 2004, more than 630,000 people that didn’t have a doctor now do. e are very proud of what we have accomplished but we know there is more work to be done.” In the most recent agreement, Ontario’s doctors and the government committed to work together to find another 500,000 patients a physician. Dr. Strasberg suggested that one of the most effective ways to achieve this objective is through the expansion of collaborative care models. Ontario’s doctors have long advocated for collaborative health care teams where various health professionals work together under one roof to provide care to a large number of patients.
“The evidence is clear, when physicians and other health professionals work together, not only is there a more comprehensive level of care provided to patients, but it can reduce the strain on the health care system.” http://ping.fm/4OQG7
“Every person in the province deserves to have access to the care and xpertise of a physician, and Ontario’s doctors will accept nothing less,” aid Dr. Suzanne Strasberg, President of the Ontario Medical Association OMA). “Since 2004, more than 630,000 people that didn’t have a doctor now do. e are very proud of what we have accomplished but we know there is more work to be done.” In the most recent agreement, Ontario’s doctors and the government committed to work together to find another 500,000 patients a physician. Dr. Strasberg suggested that one of the most effective ways to achieve this objective is through the expansion of collaborative care models. Ontario’s doctors have long advocated for collaborative health care teams where various health professionals work together under one roof to provide care to a large number of patients.
“The evidence is clear, when physicians and other health professionals work together, not only is there a more comprehensive level of care provided to patients, but it can reduce the strain on the health care system.” http://ping.fm/4OQG7
The EHR Stimulus: A Complete Primer
Like many physicians, you may have put off purchasing an EHR system because of the cost. Now you’ve heard the government is offering a chunk of money to physicians who have EHRs. What should you do?
The first step is to understand what the government is and isn’t offering. Under the health IT provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, you won’t get any cash if you simply buy an EHR; you have to show that you’re using it in a “meaningful” way. And, except for a small loan program, the feds aren’t providing any money upfront. You still have to go out and purchase or lease a system yourself. But, starting in 2011, Medicare or Medicaid will reimburse you for part of the cost if you can demonstrate “meaningful” use of a qualified EHR.
Here’s how the program works: Non-hospital-based physicians who participate in Medicare or derive 30 percent or more of their business from Medicaid (20 percent for pediatricians) are eligible to receive subsidies. The maximum amounts for which you may be eligible range from Medicare payments of $44,000 to nearly $64,000 from Medicaid over a five-year period. You can apply for either of these programs, but not both, and physicians practicing in underserved areas are eligible for an extra 10 percent from Medicare. http://ping.fm/j0fuN
The first step is to understand what the government is and isn’t offering. Under the health IT provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, you won’t get any cash if you simply buy an EHR; you have to show that you’re using it in a “meaningful” way. And, except for a small loan program, the feds aren’t providing any money upfront. You still have to go out and purchase or lease a system yourself. But, starting in 2011, Medicare or Medicaid will reimburse you for part of the cost if you can demonstrate “meaningful” use of a qualified EHR.
Here’s how the program works: Non-hospital-based physicians who participate in Medicare or derive 30 percent or more of their business from Medicaid (20 percent for pediatricians) are eligible to receive subsidies. The maximum amounts for which you may be eligible range from Medicare payments of $44,000 to nearly $64,000 from Medicaid over a five-year period. You can apply for either of these programs, but not both, and physicians practicing in underserved areas are eligible for an extra 10 percent from Medicare. http://ping.fm/j0fuN
Researcher Says Switch to EMR May Save Lives
Patient privacy rights are at the heart of research by a University of Virginia professor.
The Federal Stimulus Package is pumping $20 billion into the healthcare system to move it completely to electronic records, but state privacy laws may slow that down in Virginia and across America.
Electronic Medical Records (or EMRs) have been around since the 1970’s, but today less than half of America’s hospitals have a basic EMR system.
Virginia is one of several states with strict privacy protection for hospital patients.
“There is this idea that there may be identity fraud, in particular medical identity fraud,” says University of Virginia Economics professor Amalia Miller. http://ping.fm/2iN1K
The Federal Stimulus Package is pumping $20 billion into the healthcare system to move it completely to electronic records, but state privacy laws may slow that down in Virginia and across America.
Electronic Medical Records (or EMRs) have been around since the 1970’s, but today less than half of America’s hospitals have a basic EMR system.
Virginia is one of several states with strict privacy protection for hospital patients.
“There is this idea that there may be identity fraud, in particular medical identity fraud,” says University of Virginia Economics professor Amalia Miller. http://ping.fm/2iN1K
ICW and Surescripts to Develop E-Prescribing Prototype Project For SHIN-NY
The New York eHealth Collaborative (NYeC) has partnered with global eHealth specialist InterComponentWare Inc. (ICW) and Surescripts, operator of the country’s largest electronic prescribing network, for an eHealth prototype project to facilitate prescription routing and, with a patient’s consent, deliver prescription history for NY residents through the Statewide Health Information Network for New York (SHIN-NY).
New York’s statewide health information technology strategy envisions widespread use of health IT tools by clinicians and consumers. This prototype will demonstrate secure and accurate transmission of prescription benefit and prescription history information, and prescription routing between electronic medical records (EMRs), the Surescripts network, and pharmacies and payers, utilizing technical services and standards for health information exchange included in the ICW HealthCare Connector installed in each provider’s practice location. http://ping.fm/TQTsP
New York’s statewide health information technology strategy envisions widespread use of health IT tools by clinicians and consumers. This prototype will demonstrate secure and accurate transmission of prescription benefit and prescription history information, and prescription routing between electronic medical records (EMRs), the Surescripts network, and pharmacies and payers, utilizing technical services and standards for health information exchange included in the ICW HealthCare Connector installed in each provider’s practice location. http://ping.fm/TQTsP
PCMA Study: New Stimulus Law Will Dramatically Increase E-Prescribing Adoption Rate
$22 Billion Savings from E-Prescribing Under New Law Will Pay For Modernizing the Nation’s Entire Health IT Infrastructure
WASHINGTON — Financial incentives for physicians to adopt health information technology (HIT) included in the recent economic stimulus bill will increase the number of prescribers using electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) to more than 75 percent over the next five years—nearly double the rate of use anticipated after passage of last year’s e-prescribing legislation— according to a new study from Visante, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) said today. http://ping.fm/WwEyl
WASHINGTON — Financial incentives for physicians to adopt health information technology (HIT) included in the recent economic stimulus bill will increase the number of prescribers using electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) to more than 75 percent over the next five years—nearly double the rate of use anticipated after passage of last year’s e-prescribing legislation— according to a new study from Visante, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) said today. http://ping.fm/WwEyl
Medical Transcription and EMR
Professional medical transcription companies provide excellent EMR solutions.
With the introduction of the EMR system, medical transcription has become more reliable, cost-effective and systematic. The EMR solution effectively manages records such as death summaries, radiology images, photographs, histories, clinic notes, consultation reports, referrals, laboratory summaries, medical billing, verifications, authorizations, medical coding and patient scheduling. One of the major advantages of EMR is that it permits clients to add, delete and edit records and other medical notes.
Ensures High Accuracy Rates in Transcription
EMR is a typical database system that helps medical practices to make digital formats ensuring high accuracy rates in the transcription process. Professional medical transcription service providers offer excellent EMR solutions, giving maximum automation and security for SOAP notes and other medical data. The latest features of EMR solution include: http://ping.fm/xhmZM
With the introduction of the EMR system, medical transcription has become more reliable, cost-effective and systematic. The EMR solution effectively manages records such as death summaries, radiology images, photographs, histories, clinic notes, consultation reports, referrals, laboratory summaries, medical billing, verifications, authorizations, medical coding and patient scheduling. One of the major advantages of EMR is that it permits clients to add, delete and edit records and other medical notes.
Ensures High Accuracy Rates in Transcription
EMR is a typical database system that helps medical practices to make digital formats ensuring high accuracy rates in the transcription process. Professional medical transcription service providers offer excellent EMR solutions, giving maximum automation and security for SOAP notes and other medical data. The latest features of EMR solution include: http://ping.fm/xhmZM
Plan Outlines Medicare/Medicaid Incentives
The Department of Health and Human Services has released the outlines of the program to offer Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments for meaningful use of electronic health records systems.
The payments are authorized under the economic stimulus law. Medicare incentives to eligible hospitals will start in October 2010, HHS has clarified. Medicare incentives to physicians, as well as Medicaid incentives to physicians and hospitals, will start in January 2011. http://ping.fm/Z58v1
The payments are authorized under the economic stimulus law. Medicare incentives to eligible hospitals will start in October 2010, HHS has clarified. Medicare incentives to physicians, as well as Medicaid incentives to physicians and hospitals, will start in January 2011. http://ping.fm/Z58v1
Electronic Medical Records Deliver Orthopedic Practice-Specific Functionality
Electronic medical record (EMR) software is the wave of the future for healthcare providers. Patient medical records can be extensive and complex, containing patient demographic and contact information, a summary of medical history, and documentation of each event, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome. Relevant documents and correspondence are also included. With EMR software, it is possible to store the entire medical record, or any part of it, on a computer. The advantage that EMR software has over traditional paper systems is that they provide greater data availability, transfer, and retrieval. This article will first look at the important components of EMR systems in general, and then it will look at three vendors who not only contain these components, but provide orthopedic practice-specific functionality as well.
The following are important components when considering EMR systems:
* Functionality
Often, lower-priced EMRs have limited functionality. However, you don’t want to pay for functionality you are not going to use. http://ping.fm/QFG9B
The following are important components when considering EMR systems:
* Functionality
Often, lower-priced EMRs have limited functionality. However, you don’t want to pay for functionality you are not going to use. http://ping.fm/QFG9B
Market for EMRs pegged at $1.6 billion by 2013
NEW YORK – The market for electronic medical record data transfer equipment and applications, valued at $575 million in 2008, is forecast to reach $1.6 billion in 2013, according to a study by research firm Kalorama Information.
Driven by the growing use of EMRs in hospitals and physician offices, this segment of the patient monitoring market will grow 23.3 percent annually through 2013, notes the report, “High-Tech Patient Monitoring Systems Markets (Remote and Wireless Systems, Data Processing, EMR Data Transfer).”
Increased use of EMRs and high-tech patient monitoring systems is a key piece of President Barack Obama’s plan to fix the ailing healthcare system, the report notes, because they have the potential to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction, provide cost savings and more efficient use of healthcare resources and reduce hospitalizations.
Patient monitoring produces a vast amount of data, but this data can be disjointed and located in different places, Kalorma notes. EMRs give patients and physicians greater freedom, improves accuracy and should result in better outcomes as critical records are all in one easily transportable record. http://ping.fm/IqBbX
Driven by the growing use of EMRs in hospitals and physician offices, this segment of the patient monitoring market will grow 23.3 percent annually through 2013, notes the report, “High-Tech Patient Monitoring Systems Markets (Remote and Wireless Systems, Data Processing, EMR Data Transfer).”
Increased use of EMRs and high-tech patient monitoring systems is a key piece of President Barack Obama’s plan to fix the ailing healthcare system, the report notes, because they have the potential to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction, provide cost savings and more efficient use of healthcare resources and reduce hospitalizations.
Patient monitoring produces a vast amount of data, but this data can be disjointed and located in different places, Kalorma notes. EMRs give patients and physicians greater freedom, improves accuracy and should result in better outcomes as critical records are all in one easily transportable record. http://ping.fm/IqBbX
Medical Billing Software Helps With Payment Collection
The demands of any medical office, whether small practice or large, can be overwhelming. You can set your watch to the fact that if your clinic opens at 8:00 a.m., there will be patients lined up waiting on the doors to open 15 minutes (or more) ahead of time. With a constant influx of patients and the necessity of meeting their various needs, your medical practice doesn’t have time to waste.
That’s why just about every medical practice in the country uses some kind of medical billing software to assist in administrative, financial and practice management duties. Keeping up with the hundreds of faces you may see in a given week is next to impossible without some degree of automation.
Without a measure in place to take the heat off your staff, missed payments and delinquent accounts can quickly become the rule rather than the exception, and while medical billing software helps with payment collection, there are certain features, which are essential to the efficiency of your administration.
But just what features are right for you? http://ping.fm/d1jSQ
That’s why just about every medical practice in the country uses some kind of medical billing software to assist in administrative, financial and practice management duties. Keeping up with the hundreds of faces you may see in a given week is next to impossible without some degree of automation.
Without a measure in place to take the heat off your staff, missed payments and delinquent accounts can quickly become the rule rather than the exception, and while medical billing software helps with payment collection, there are certain features, which are essential to the efficiency of your administration.
But just what features are right for you? http://ping.fm/d1jSQ
Why Outsource Your Medical Billing
Outsourcing is a common practice when it comes to medical billing. Most doctors will at some point find themselves outsourcing their medical billing to an at-home specialist, a professional medical billing company, or a practice management company. Here are some of the reasons doctors choose to outsource their billing.
It saves time. Medical billing is an immense task. Outsourcing to a medical billing firm can take much of that burden off your shoulders. It will save you the time you need to concentrate on healing your patients. http://ping.fm/S5l9d
It saves time. Medical billing is an immense task. Outsourcing to a medical billing firm can take much of that burden off your shoulders. It will save you the time you need to concentrate on healing your patients. http://ping.fm/S5l9d
Study reveals patients? attitudes toward EMR conversion
BOSTON – A new study suggests that patients are open to having electronic medical records play a more central role in their care.
A research team at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston led the study to determine how patients feel about converting to EMRs. Key findings suggest patients want full access to all of their medical records, are willing to make some privacy concessions in the interest of making them transparent and fully expect that computers will play a major role in their medical care, even substituting for face-to-face care.
“Year after year, people have seen information technology transform one industry after another and, more to the point, transform their everyday experiences,” said Stephen Downs, assistant vice president of the health group at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which supported the research through a grant from its Pioneer Portfolio. “This is the age of the iPhone, Facebook and Google Maps, yet healthcare feels very much the same. This study suggests that people are ready for change – they want a modern healthcare experience.” http://ping.fm/ZN3Yj
A research team at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston led the study to determine how patients feel about converting to EMRs. Key findings suggest patients want full access to all of their medical records, are willing to make some privacy concessions in the interest of making them transparent and fully expect that computers will play a major role in their medical care, even substituting for face-to-face care.
“Year after year, people have seen information technology transform one industry after another and, more to the point, transform their everyday experiences,” said Stephen Downs, assistant vice president of the health group at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which supported the research through a grant from its Pioneer Portfolio. “This is the age of the iPhone, Facebook and Google Maps, yet healthcare feels very much the same. This study suggests that people are ready for change – they want a modern healthcare experience.” http://ping.fm/ZN3Yj
Clinics Slow To Adopt Paperless Medical Records
President Obama believes one of the most effective ways to reduce health care costs is to go paperless. Children’s Mercy Hospital is one of a growing number of hospitals relying on electronic records, but recent studies found only nine percent of US hospitals and about 25 percent of doctor offices have gone to electronic records.
Everyone agrees that’s the trend but not everyone agrees it’ll save money and improve patient care.
Kansas City’s Internal Medicine Clinic moved to electronic medical records four years ago.
“We have everything, if we want to look at a lab, we push a button,” Dr. Marianne Hudgins said.
The administrative staff has shrunk by 5 and the clinic is adding a new doctor, but it’s patient quality that really impresses Dr. Hudgins. http://ping.fm/sTeqZ
Everyone agrees that’s the trend but not everyone agrees it’ll save money and improve patient care.
Kansas City’s Internal Medicine Clinic moved to electronic medical records four years ago.
“We have everything, if we want to look at a lab, we push a button,” Dr. Marianne Hudgins said.
The administrative staff has shrunk by 5 and the clinic is adding a new doctor, but it’s patient quality that really impresses Dr. Hudgins. http://ping.fm/sTeqZ
Transcription Technology Watch
This is the first in a series of quarterly articles that will focus on technologies relevant to medical transcription. Hopefully, maybe even those MTs who are techno-phobic will find some of the topics enlightening, stimulating and/or of value in making career decisions. But maybe not. To challenge that hope, I’ve started off with everyone’s favorite technology: speech recognition. If you want to really stimulate a transcriptionist, just say “speech recognition.” Or, better yet, assert that “speech recognition will forever change the process of converting physicians’ thoughts and utterances into text.” Then run for cover.
Every transcriptionist out there has heard some form of that assertion. Their reactions range from dismissal to fear to anger. So what’s the truth? What does the future hold? Well, at some point in the future, there will be no medical transcription. Physicians will dictate into a PC or portable device; their speech will be converted to text; and the dictator will make any necessary corrections to finalize the report. No transcription expense. No transcription delay. But that future is at least 3 years off. Just kidding. It’s way more than that. However, there is a future closer than that, related to speech recognition, which has some major implications for this industry. http://ping.fm/tyZYx
Every transcriptionist out there has heard some form of that assertion. Their reactions range from dismissal to fear to anger. So what’s the truth? What does the future hold? Well, at some point in the future, there will be no medical transcription. Physicians will dictate into a PC or portable device; their speech will be converted to text; and the dictator will make any necessary corrections to finalize the report. No transcription expense. No transcription delay. But that future is at least 3 years off. Just kidding. It’s way more than that. However, there is a future closer than that, related to speech recognition, which has some major implications for this industry. http://ping.fm/tyZYx
Outsourcing medical billing
In today’s competitive economy outsourcing medical billing seems to be a great option for the health care companies. Now the question arises as where
to outsource medical billing. The best possible destination as of now for outsourcing medical billing seems to be India. Let us look at the benefits of medical billing outsourcing to India.
Why outsource medical billing to India
* Availability of advanced infrastructure
* Availability of cheap and efficient human resources
* Availability of quality certified firms
* Good communication and internet facilities
* Proved track record
* Data Confidential, retention, destruction protocols
* Availability of service level agreements
* Stable government
* Continuously improving economy
http://ping.fm/LPArC
to outsource medical billing. The best possible destination as of now for outsourcing medical billing seems to be India. Let us look at the benefits of medical billing outsourcing to India.
Why outsource medical billing to India
* Availability of advanced infrastructure
* Availability of cheap and efficient human resources
* Availability of quality certified firms
* Good communication and internet facilities
* Proved track record
* Data Confidential, retention, destruction protocols
* Availability of service level agreements
* Stable government
* Continuously improving economy
http://ping.fm/LPArC
E-prescribing: An easy way to earn bonus payments
Bonus payments, no penalties make learning easier
Beginning this year, AAOS members who e-prescribe can potentially earn a 2 percent bonus payment from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), in addition to any Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) bonus. The e-prescribing bonus drops to 1 percent in 2011 and 2012, and to 0.5 percent in 2013.
After that, the penalties kick in. Beginning in 2012, Medicare payments will be reduced by 1 percent to physicians who do not e-prescribe; by 2014, the penalty will be a 2 percent reduction in payments. http://ping.fm/qVNzG
Beginning this year, AAOS members who e-prescribe can potentially earn a 2 percent bonus payment from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), in addition to any Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) bonus. The e-prescribing bonus drops to 1 percent in 2011 and 2012, and to 0.5 percent in 2013.
After that, the penalties kick in. Beginning in 2012, Medicare payments will be reduced by 1 percent to physicians who do not e-prescribe; by 2014, the penalty will be a 2 percent reduction in payments. http://ping.fm/qVNzG
Study Estimates Success of Health IT Incentives in Stimulus Package
The findings of a new Bridges to Excellence study suggest that more than two-thirds of U.S. physicians will respond to the health IT incentives included in the economic stimulus package because they are “significant” incentives, however, participation likely will be skewed toward practices with more than three physicians, Healthcare IT News reports (Merrill, Healthcare IT News, 5/7).
The stimulus package includes about $17 billion for Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments over five years for doctors and hospitals that use electronic health records (iHealthBeat, 3/16).
BTE, a national effort to recognize and reward high-performing physicians, assessed physician response rates to rewards using its Master Physicians Lists from each of its initial pilot sites — Louisville, Ky., Cincinnati, Albany, N.Y., and Boston. The analysis found that physicians’ participation largely depends on the size of the incentive or bonus for which they are eligible. http://ping.fm/HJmzh
The stimulus package includes about $17 billion for Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments over five years for doctors and hospitals that use electronic health records (iHealthBeat, 3/16).
BTE, a national effort to recognize and reward high-performing physicians, assessed physician response rates to rewards using its Master Physicians Lists from each of its initial pilot sites — Louisville, Ky., Cincinnati, Albany, N.Y., and Boston. The analysis found that physicians’ participation largely depends on the size of the incentive or bonus for which they are eligible. http://ping.fm/HJmzh
EHR Adoption Success Directly Linked to Transcription: Industry Associations Take Solution-Focused Message to Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON - (Business Wire) The proven ability for medical transcription to facilitate accurate, cost-effective EHR adoption will be the key message brought by the members of the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) and the Medical Transcription Industry Association (MTIA) to federal legislators on Capitol Hill when the associations convene in Washington, DC, for their annual Advocacy Summit. With the HITECH Act, the Obama Administration’s high priority on nationwide EHR adoption has opened an opportunity for the transcription sector to educate the current Administration and Congress about the need for contemplative, prudent migration to the EHR – one that preserves the role of complex narrative and engages human intelligence in ensuring the accurate, secure capture of patient healthcare encounters. http://ping.fm/qrfU0
Bill pushes doctors to computerize records
O’Malley expected to sign bill that would aid in creating national health information network
Maryland is poised to jump ahead of the rest of the nation in health information technology on Tuesday when Gov. Martin O’Malley signs a bill intended to coax doctors into using electronic medical records.
The computerized files are seen as the foundation of a national health information network that proponents say will improve care, advance medical knowledge and save the country tens of billions of dollars annually. But with the startup costs to individual doctors in the tens of thousands of dollars, many smaller practices have been slow to move from clipboard to computer screen. http://ping.fm/ymvlz
Maryland is poised to jump ahead of the rest of the nation in health information technology on Tuesday when Gov. Martin O’Malley signs a bill intended to coax doctors into using electronic medical records.
The computerized files are seen as the foundation of a national health information network that proponents say will improve care, advance medical knowledge and save the country tens of billions of dollars annually. But with the startup costs to individual doctors in the tens of thousands of dollars, many smaller practices have been slow to move from clipboard to computer screen. http://ping.fm/ymvlz
TMC goes high-tech to reduce medical mistakes
It’s estimated hospital medical mistakes kill 100,000 people a year in the United States.
Many hospitals, including Tucson Medical Center are going high-tech to improve patient safety.
TMC is in the process of completing a state-of-the-art electronic medical records system, or EMR.
A hospital spokesman says when it’s completed in June of 2010, it will put TMC in the top five percent of U.S. hospitals in EMR technology.
“So the EMR is a mechanism to bring improved patient safety, efficiencies and just overall improvements in the clinical care process,” says TMC Chief Information Officer Frank Martini.
He says computers will be in every patient room and every other place where care is administered. http://ping.fm/7cfLu
Many hospitals, including Tucson Medical Center are going high-tech to improve patient safety.
TMC is in the process of completing a state-of-the-art electronic medical records system, or EMR.
A hospital spokesman says when it’s completed in June of 2010, it will put TMC in the top five percent of U.S. hospitals in EMR technology.
“So the EMR is a mechanism to bring improved patient safety, efficiencies and just overall improvements in the clinical care process,” says TMC Chief Information Officer Frank Martini.
He says computers will be in every patient room and every other place where care is administered. http://ping.fm/7cfLu
Medical Transcription and Dictation Services
These days, medical transcription and dictation services are provided to various healthcare settings including clinics, nursing homes, hospitals, healthcare centers and long term acute care centers. Medical transcription is one of the IT related challenging services that require outstanding execution skill with professionalism.
Nature of Work
Medical transcription and dictation services comprise the conversion of a physician’s audio files into written transcripts. The process involves the following steps-
-Physicians dictate their notes into a digital recording device, which involves toll-free phone lines, PC dictation and handheld digital recorders
-Transfer of these voice recordings to transcribers via a file transfer protocol (FTP)
-Medical transcriptionist transcribes the audio files into text format
-Transcribed reports are sent back via browser based secure 256 bit AES encrypted file transfer protocol http://ping.fm/snN85
Nature of Work
Medical transcription and dictation services comprise the conversion of a physician’s audio files into written transcripts. The process involves the following steps-
-Physicians dictate their notes into a digital recording device, which involves toll-free phone lines, PC dictation and handheld digital recorders
-Transfer of these voice recordings to transcribers via a file transfer protocol (FTP)
-Medical transcriptionist transcribes the audio files into text format
-Transcribed reports are sent back via browser based secure 256 bit AES encrypted file transfer protocol http://ping.fm/snN85
CCHIT Chair Discusses Group?s Future Role, Stimulus Package
In an interview with Modern Healthcare, Mark Leavitt, chair of the Certification Commission for Healthcare IT, discussed CCHIT’s current work and its potential role in developing certification criteria for determining which electronic health record systems will be eligible to receive funding under the economic stimulus law.
Although the federal stimulus law calls for the national coordinator for health IT to identify “a program or programs for the voluntary certification of health IT,” it does not specifically endorse CCHIT.
Because the economic stimulus package includes substantial federal subsidies for health care providers who adopt health IT, CCHIT’s certification criteria seek to ensure that “taxpayers’ money is not being wasted,” Leavitt said. He added, “Certification is basically a protection for the taxpayer.” http://ping.fm/aRTHt
Although the federal stimulus law calls for the national coordinator for health IT to identify “a program or programs for the voluntary certification of health IT,” it does not specifically endorse CCHIT.
Because the economic stimulus package includes substantial federal subsidies for health care providers who adopt health IT, CCHIT’s certification criteria seek to ensure that “taxpayers’ money is not being wasted,” Leavitt said. He added, “Certification is basically a protection for the taxpayer.” http://ping.fm/aRTHt
Stimulus legislation expected to boost e-prescribing adoption to 75%
The economic stimulus legislation will increase e-prescribing adoption to more than 75 percent of prescribers in five years, according to a consulting firm that conducted a study on behalf of a pharmaceutical group.
The stimulus bill, and its $19 billion investment in health information technology, will spur a fourfold increase in e-prescribing over current levels, according to the analysis by Minneapolis-based Visante. The firm estimates that e-prescribing will save public and private payers $78.2 billion in the first 10 years once the 75 percent adoption rate is achieved, thanks to a reduction of medication errors and hospitalizations. http://ping.fm/qC9k7
The stimulus bill, and its $19 billion investment in health information technology, will spur a fourfold increase in e-prescribing over current levels, according to the analysis by Minneapolis-based Visante. The firm estimates that e-prescribing will save public and private payers $78.2 billion in the first 10 years once the 75 percent adoption rate is achieved, thanks to a reduction of medication errors and hospitalizations. http://ping.fm/qC9k7
HIMSS defines ?meaningful use? of EMRs for Medicare incentives
So, soon providers will get incentives for putting EMRs into place–but as is usually the case, there’s a catch. To get Medicare incentive payments, it’s not enough to simply roll out the technology; hospitals and physicians will have to prove that they’ve made “meaningful use of certified EHR technology.”
This “meaningful use” includes using the technology to exchange electronic health data to improve care quality and submitting care quality measures to HHS. Not only that, hospitals and doctors will need to meet these requirements within a specified time frame.
So, what’s a group of providers to do if they want to get the incentive payments? HIMSS has a few suggestions: http://ping.fm/L0l8M
This “meaningful use” includes using the technology to exchange electronic health data to improve care quality and submitting care quality measures to HHS. Not only that, hospitals and doctors will need to meet these requirements within a specified time frame.
So, what’s a group of providers to do if they want to get the incentive payments? HIMSS has a few suggestions: http://ping.fm/L0l8M
Stimulus cash gives health care records technology a boost
By Rosemary D’Amour/Daily News correspondent
GHS
The $4 billion in federal stimulus health care money headed to the Bay State over the next three years will help provide care for those who can’t afford it and it is hoped help stem hemorrhaging costs by funding new technologies.
The bulk of the health care stimulus funding - some $3.5 billion - will keep mostly safety-net programs afloat with Medicaid/Federal Medical Assistance Percentage funds.
But a portion of federal stimulus money is targeted for cost-saving innovation. Massachusetts is expected to receive $1.3 billion in technology and research funds, with more than $500 million slated for initiatives to help create electronic patient records in the commonwealth. http://ping.fm/aIblJ
GHS
The $4 billion in federal stimulus health care money headed to the Bay State over the next three years will help provide care for those who can’t afford it and it is hoped help stem hemorrhaging costs by funding new technologies.
The bulk of the health care stimulus funding - some $3.5 billion - will keep mostly safety-net programs afloat with Medicaid/Federal Medical Assistance Percentage funds.
But a portion of federal stimulus money is targeted for cost-saving innovation. Massachusetts is expected to receive $1.3 billion in technology and research funds, with more than $500 million slated for initiatives to help create electronic patient records in the commonwealth. http://ping.fm/aIblJ
Healthcare, Online Medical Transcription and Medical Billing: What?s Involved?
Anyone who watches the evening news or picks up a national news magazine will recognize one thing to be true: Healthcare has become one of the fastest growing industries in the United States.
With such an explosion of the healthcare industry taking place, more and more people are embarking on careers in the healthcare system in two fields that have logically benefited from this growth: medical transcription and medical billing. These two fields compose vital organs of the medical industry body itself. To participate in such a necessary field will be both challenging and rewarding, as these fields continue to grow and evolve.
What exactly is medical transcription?
Medical transcription, also known as “MT,” is a healthcare profession which involves the converting voice-recorded reports as dictated by doctors and other healthcare professionals into text format. This is most often done on a PC, using a data entry program. Often this type of position can be done from home, widening its appeal to those with both financial needs and a need to remain at home due to family constraints. Likewise, taking the medical transcription courses online is a natural transition to working from home. http://ping.fm/LQ1vf
With such an explosion of the healthcare industry taking place, more and more people are embarking on careers in the healthcare system in two fields that have logically benefited from this growth: medical transcription and medical billing. These two fields compose vital organs of the medical industry body itself. To participate in such a necessary field will be both challenging and rewarding, as these fields continue to grow and evolve.
What exactly is medical transcription?
Medical transcription, also known as “MT,” is a healthcare profession which involves the converting voice-recorded reports as dictated by doctors and other healthcare professionals into text format. This is most often done on a PC, using a data entry program. Often this type of position can be done from home, widening its appeal to those with both financial needs and a need to remain at home due to family constraints. Likewise, taking the medical transcription courses online is a natural transition to working from home. http://ping.fm/LQ1vf
American College of Cardiology Supports E-Prescription Mandate
The American College of Cardiology is separating itself from a number of other physician groups by favoring a mandate for Medicare physicians to adopt electronic prescriptions, Modern Healthcare reports.
ACC said it supports the mandate because it has moved quicker than other physician groups in embracing e-prescribing. Many cardiologists are part of large physician practices that already have adopted the technology, Jack Lewin, CEO of ACC, said.
A Senate Medicare bill likely will include a financial penalty for physicians who do not adopt e-prescribing technology, Modern Healthcare reports. http://ping.fm/AWG7j
ACC said it supports the mandate because it has moved quicker than other physician groups in embracing e-prescribing. Many cardiologists are part of large physician practices that already have adopted the technology, Jack Lewin, CEO of ACC, said.
A Senate Medicare bill likely will include a financial penalty for physicians who do not adopt e-prescribing technology, Modern Healthcare reports. http://ping.fm/AWG7j
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)